IRGC Ground Forces join SCO counter-terrorism drill in Belarus

The public relations office of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Ground Forces announced that a team representing Iran's armed forces has entered Belarus to participate in a joint counter-terrorism exercise involving member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).

The IRGC Ground Forces said the deployment is part of Iran's continued strategic interaction with SCO members. According to the announcement, the special forces team was dispatched to Belarus to exchange experience alongside forces from other member states taking part in the exercise.

The statement noted that Western and European countries and other adversaries are seeking to reduce the Islamic Republic of Iran's ties with regional states. The IRGC Ground Forces presented the participation as part of ongoing military and security cooperation within the SCO framework.

Last year, the IRGC Ground Forces hosted the counter-terrorism exercise in Shabestar, in Iran's East Azerbaijan province, as the fourth host country. The public relations office said that hosting showcased the authority and readiness of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The SCO is a regional political, economic and security organisation whose members include China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Iran and several Central Asian states. Iran's participation in the Belarus-based drill follows its earlier role as host of the same exercise series.

According to Mehr News, the IRGC Ground Forces said the team's deployment to Belarus is intended to exchange experience with forces from SCO member states and forms part of Iran's continued strategic interaction with the organisation.