Egypt, Sudan conduct joint military exercise

The Guardian of the South-2 joint drill — which will continue for several days — is one of a number of exercises that have been conducted by the two nations’ armed forces. (Egypt’s Defense Ministry)
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Updated 05 December 2022
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Egypt, Sudan conduct joint military exercise

CAIRO: An Egyptian-Sudanese military training exercise has got underway at the border guard training fields complex in Egypt.

The Guardian of the South-2 joint drill — which will continue for several days — is one of a number of exercises that have been conducted by the two nations’ armed forces.

Egyptian military spokesman Gharib Abdel-Hafez said that elements of Egypt’s border guard and Sudan’s infantry would be taking part in the training focused on border security tasks.

In a speech welcoming the Sudanese contingent, Egypt’s border guard commander said the exercise would help to strengthen the capabilities of forces from both countries.

The first phase of the training included an exhibition of the latest weapons and equipment used in border security work, and combating smuggling and infiltration, along with an update on efforts to promote integration between forces.

Lectures and practical exercises were also held to boost the combat experiences of both sides, improve military cooperation, and develop joint operations.

Egypt and Sudan’s first joint military exercise, Guardian of the South-1, was staged in October 2021 at Egypt’s Mohammed Naguib Military Base, the largest in the Middle East, located in the Al-Hamam area west of Alexandria.


The art of war: fears for masterpieces on loan to Louvre Abu Dhabi

Updated 13 March 2026
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The art of war: fears for masterpieces on loan to Louvre Abu Dhabi

  • UAE paid more than €1 billion to borrow priceless works, but experts in France want them back

PARIS: The Middle East war has raised fears for the safety of priceless masterpieces on loan from France to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the museum’s only foreign branch.
The Abu Dhabi museum, which opened in 2017, has so far escaped damage from nearly 1,800 Iranian drone and missile strikes launched since the conflict erupted on Feb. 28.
However, concerns are mounting in France. “The works must be removed,” said Didier Selles, who helped broker the original agreement between France and the UAE.
French journal La Tribune de l’Art echoed that alarm. “The Louvre’s works in Abu Dhabi must be secured!” it said.
France’s culture ministry said French authorities were “in close and regular contact with the authorities of the UAE to ensure the protection of the works loaned by France.”
Under the agreement with the UAE, France agreed to provide expertise, lend works of art and organize exhibitions, in return for €1 billion, including €400 million for licensing the use of the Louvre name. The deal was extended in 2021 to 2047 for an additional €165 million.
Works on loan include paintings by Rembrandt and Chardin, Classical statues of Isis, Roman sarcophagi and Islamic masterpieces: such as the Pyxis of Al-Mughira.

A Louvre Abu Dhabi source said the museum was designed to protect collections from both security threats and natural disasters.