Abu dhabi: Presidents of Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates observed the joint operational-tactical exercise Peace Shield - 2026 in Abu Dhabi. On February 3, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE attended the exercise, which included servicemen from both nations' armed forces.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the exercise took place in urban, mountainous, and maritime settings. It involved various tasks such as detecting and neutralizing illegal armed groups, regaining control over a seized vessel, neutralizing terrorist elements, and releasing hostages. Additionally, the exercise included evacuating the wounded, preventing riots and sabotage activities, and conducting firefighting operations.

The primary objective of the exercise is to enhance the professional skills of military personnel in counterterrorism operations. It aims to contribute to lasting peace and facilitate the exchange of experience between the armed forces of Azerbaijan and the UAE.