Jordan plans to host a major military drill, dubbed “Eager Lion 2013”, with the participation of more than 15,000 soldiers from 18 different countries

Jordan plans to host a major military drill, dubbed “Eager Lion 2013”, with the participation of more than 15,000 soldiers from 18 different countries, including the United States, a Jordanian military official announced.

Jordan’s Petra news agency reported on Saturday that troops from countries including the US, Britain, Bahrain, Canada, the Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Iraq, Italy, Lebanon, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen will take part in the military exercise.

The official added that troops from “friendly countries” will come to Jordan in the coming weeks to participate in the war games.

He noted that the maneuver, which will last for two weeks, would follow a “successful” similar drill in 2012.