Saudi and US army chiefs attend joint military exercise in Riyadh

Three-day drill was held at the Red Sands Integration Experimentation Center in Riyadh (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
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Updated 13 September 2023
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Saudi and US army chiefs attend joint military exercise in Riyadh

  • Red Sands 2 focused on detecting and responding to threats from use of drones, weapons, radar jamming and AI

RIYADH: Lt. Gen. Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili, the Saudi chief of the general staff, and Gen. Michael Kurilla, commander of US Central Command, attended a joint military exercise their forces were taking part in on Wednesday.

Al-Ruwaili was briefed on the objectives of the exercise, called Red Sands 2, the capabilities of the participating Saudi and US armed forces, and the tasks assigned to them, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Brig. Gen. Mohammed Al-Maliki said the aim of the three-day drill, at the Red Sands Integration Experimentation Center in Riyadh, was to strengthen military cooperation and bolster the ability of the Saudi Armed Forces to respond to threats. It focused on methods for detecting and responding to the use of unmanned aircraft systems, as well as the use of other weaponry, radar jamming and deception, and artificial intelligence, he added.


Rare exhibits on display at King Abdulaziz Palace

Updated 30 January 2026
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Rare exhibits on display at King Abdulaziz Palace

  • The piece reflects the precision of traditional craftsmanship and its social symbolism tied to strength and horsemanship

RIYADH: Exhibits on display at the King Abdulaziz Palace in the historic village of Laynah highlight rich aspects of human history and environmental change in the Arabian Peninsula as part of a series of palace activation events organized by the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority during the Darb Zubaida Winter Season.

The exhibits feature rare historical artifacts carrying cultural and scientific significance that document different lifestyles and environmental shifts in the region over the centuries.

Among the most notable pieces is a traditional rifle crafted from natural wood and fitted with a handwoven leather strap, historically used for hunting and protection.

The piece reflects the precision of traditional craftsmanship and its social symbolism tied to strength and horsemanship.

The authority stated that the palace welcomes visitors daily until Feb. 15, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., as part of unified tourism programs aimed at organizing visitor flow and providing opportunities to explore historical sites in a safe and engaging environment.