On February 3, President Ilham Aliyev and the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, observed the "Peace Shield – 2026" joint operational-tactical exercise held in Abu Dhabi featuring military personnel from the armed forces of both nations.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the joint exercises, conducted across residential areas, mountainous terrain, and maritime environments, involved tasks such as detecting and neutralizing illegal armed groups, regaining control over seized vessels, neutralizing terrorist elements, and liberating hostages. The maneuvers also included the evacuation of the wounded, prevention of riots and sabotage activities threatening public safety in residential areas, and firefighting operations.
The primary objective of the exercise is to enhance the professional skills of the military contingents of Azerbaijan and the UAE in counter-terrorism operations, contribute to the provision of sustainable peace, and facilitate the exchange of mutual experience. This collaboration underscores the growing strategic partnership between Baku and Abu Dhabi, particularly in the fields of defense and regional security. In recent years, Azerbaijan has significantly expanded its military diplomacy, focusing on interoperability and modern combat tactics with key international partners to ensure regional stability.
