TAIF: Visitors to the Taif Season of activities are being given an education on the history of the ancient incense trade route. The Taif region is famous for its rich heritage and important strategic location on the old incense road traveled by caravans of merchants carrying spices and luxury goods from Amman to Taif through the ports.
Taif Season visitors can learn more about the road’s history at the Village of Roses, where the memories of generations of rose growers are being recounted.
The Taif rose became the most prominent economic product in the city due to its rare qualities and properties. The people of Taif introduced the flower to the region, where it flourished in the soils and became of high economic value.
Taif Season, which is one of 11 festivals being held across the Kingdom to promote the country as a global tourist destination, runs until Aug. 31. More than 1,500 men and women have been trained as part of the festival to raise the quality of services on offer.
Story of incense trade route spices up Taif Season
Story of incense trade route spices up Taif Season
- Taif Season, which is one of 11 festivals being held across the Kingdom to promote the country as a global tourist destination, runs until Aug. 31
Spears of Victory 2026 military exercise begins at eastern province Air Warfare Center
- Spears of Victory 2026, one of the largest air exercises in the region, aims to enhance military partnerships
- Exercise includes a series of advanced training activities, such as joint and combined tactical operations
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense announced the start of the “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The exercise is being conducted with the participation of branches of the Saudi Armed Forces, including land, air, naval and air defense forces, in addition to the Ministry of the National Guard, the Presidency of State Security, the Unified Military Command of the Gulf Cooperation Council and military forces from 15 allied and partner countries.
Spears of Victory 2026, one of the largest air exercises in the region, aims to enhance military partnerships, strengthen the exchange of expertise in planning and execution, raise combat readiness and achieve advanced levels of operational coordination and integration among participating forces.
The exercise includes a series of advanced training activities, such as joint and combined tactical operations, specialized academic lectures and operational missions designed to improve the performance of aircrews, technical and support personnel.
It also evaluates modern military tactics, including electronic and cyber warfare, within a multidimensional operational environment that simulates real operational conditions.
Forces participating in the exercise include those from Bahrain, Bangladesh, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkiye, the UK and the US.
Spears of Victory 2026 is being conducted at the Air Warfare Center, one of the most advanced training facilities in the region, supporting the development of combat plans, the assessment of capabilities and the testing and evaluation of systems and weapons.
