- Title: Jordan's King Abdullah opens security conference
- Date: 10th May 2016
- Summary: AMMAN, JORDAN (MAY 10, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE AT THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE (SOFEX) HELD AT THE KING ABDULLAH II AIRBASE SIGN READING (English) 'SOFEX JORDAN' FLAGS OF PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES KING ABDULLAH MOTORCADE ARRIVING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY VARIOUS OF KING ABDULLAH WALKING TOWARDS THE SEATING AREA GENERALS AND OFFICIALS WATCHING THE CEREMONY KING ABDULLAH SEATED, PRIME MINISTER, ABDULLAH ENSOUR, TO HIS LEFT AND CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, GENERAL MASHAL AL ZABEN, TO HIS RIGHT (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MINISTER OF INFORMATION, MOHAMMAD MOMANI, SAYING: "As a result of the large security threats sweeping the Middle East, and the spread of these threats across all countries, it is imperative for meetings like this to take place. This is an opportunity for military companies to present their latest technologies, and for countries to learn of this technology and purchase what they want in order to increase their ability to face various security threats, particularly the threat of extremism and terrorism." VARIOUS OF DRILL DEPICTING RESCUE OF AN INJURED SOLDIER VARIOUS OF HELICOPTERS LANDING SOLDIERS EMERGING FROM A HELICOPTER SOLDIERS MOVING TOWARDS INJURED SOLDIER SIMULATED EXCHANGE OF FIRE HELICOPTER TAKING OFF MILITARY HELICOPTER ON DISPLAY TRANSFORMER-INSPIRED STRUCTURE ON DISPLAY ENTRANCE TO THE USA PAVILION IN THE EXHIBITION SIGN READING (English) 'WELCOME TO THE USA SECURITY AND DEFENCE PAVILION' VARIOUS OF PEOPLE LOOKING AT ITEMS DISPLAYED IN THE PAVILION FLIGHT SIMULATOR (SOUNDBITE) (English) RETIRED LIEUTENANT GENERAL WITH U.S ARMY, ROGER THOMPSON, SAYING: "As you know this is a dangerous area because of the Daesh threat and because of that I know that there are a lot of conversations going on between the governments of the nations in this area and the United States defence industry for the provision of various things that might be used by the local governments to protect themselves from the Daesh threat." VARIOUS OF MILITARY PLANE MODELS ON DISPLAY IRAQI AIRFORCE COMMANDER STAFF LIEUTENANT GENERAL, ANWER AMIN, SPEAKING TO OTHERS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IRAQI AIRFORCE COMMANDER, STAFF LIEUTENANT GENERAL ANWER AMIN, SAYING "The exhibition will certainly be beneficial for us. The equipment on display here can help our counter-terrorism operations, and help in our fight against IS, the terrorist organization. Whether this is air or ground weapons, or surveillance equipment, these are all useful and important. This is an excellent exhibition." VARIOUS OF WEAPONRY AND ARMED VEHICLES ON DISPLAY
- Embargoed: 25th May 2016 12:42
- Keywords: Jordan SOFEX King Abdullah security IS
- Location: AMMAN, JORDAN
- City: AMMAN, JORDAN
- Country: Jordan
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA0014H82XXX
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Jordan's King Abdullah opened the 11th Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX) on Tuesday (May 10) at a time of heightened security in the region.
The conference in Amman brings together arms manufacturers and army generals from around the world.
This year more than 380 military companies from 37 countries including the U.S, Britain, France and Turkey are all participating in the event.
Jordan's Minister of Information, Mohammad Momani, said conferences like this help to combat the threat of extremist organisations like Islamic State.
"As a result of the large security threats sweeping the Middle East, and the spread of these threats across all countries, it is imperative for meetings like this to take place. This is an opportunity for military companies to present their latest technologies, and for countries to learn of these techniques and purchase what they want in order to increase their ability to face of various security threats, particularly the threat of extremism and terrorism," said Momani.
King Abdullah has been among the most vocal regional leaders voicing alarm about Islamic State, which has taken territory in Syria and Iraq over the last two years.
Jordan's military has waged attacks against Islamic State hideouts in Syria, and the kingdom is part of the U.S.-led coalition against the militant group.
In March, Jordanian security forces killed several Islamist militants and one police officer was also shot dead during a manhunt that involved hundreds of troops in the northern city of Irbid, near the border with Syria.
The fight against the Islamic State was high on the agenda of army generals and arms manufacturers.
"As you know this is a dangerous area because of the Daesh threat and because of that I know that there are a lot of conversations going on between the governments of the nations in this area and the United States defence industry for the provision of various things that might be used by the local governments to protect themselves from the Daesh threat," said retired Lieutenant General with the U.S army, Roger Thompson.
Iraqi air-force commander, Staff Lieutenant General Anwer Amin, said arms and equipment displayed at the event are important in helping their country fight IS.
"The exhibition will certainly be beneficial for us. The equipment on display here can help our counter-terrorism operations, and help in our fight against IS, the terrorist organization. Whether this is air or ground weapons, or surveillance equipment, these are all useful and important. This is an excellent exhibition," he said.
The three day event ends on May 12 and involves simulated attacks and demonstrations. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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