Iran holds war games near Iraq
2004-12-03 15:57
Tehran, Iran - Iran's army launched its largest military exercise on Friday near the Iraqi border, state-run radio reported.
General Ali Salimi, the army's chief commander, was quoted as saying the "Followers of the Supreme Leader" exercises were "the biggest in the history of the army" in number of units and operations.
More than 120 000 air and ground troops were to take part in the war games across more than 100 000 square kilometers in five western provinces near the Iraqi border. It was not immediately clear why the location was chosen or how long the exercise would last.
Tanks, armoured personnel carriers, jet fighters and helicopters will be deployed in the exercise, General Amir Karimi, a spokesman, was quoted as saying.
Army officials contacted by AP journalists on Friday refused to comment.
- AP