Eastern Spear Exercise: Afghan, Indian, Syrian, Iranian, Venezuelan, Chinese and US Advisors Conduct Exercises in Afghanistan

(From Left to Right): Afghan, Indian, Syrian, Iranian, American, Venezuelan and Chinese forces pose for a photograph (CGTN: CA)

(From Left to Right): Afghan, Indian, Syrian, Iranian, American, Venezuelan and Chinese forces pose for a photograph (CGTN: CA)

From CGTN: Central Asia

Syrian and Afghan machine gunners providing cover fire during an exercise (CGTN: CA)

Afghan, Indian, Iranian, Syrian, Venezuelan, US and Chinese armed forces join in the Eastern Spear joint military exercise just outside of Kabul.

Syrian Arab Army soldiers from the Republican Guard (CGTN: CA)

The sudden departure of coalition forces in Afghanistan meant the Taliban has launched many offensives, overtaking major provinces such as Qala-e Nau.

Venezuelan soldier and a Chinese naval infantryman shooting in the background (CGTN: CA)

Asadullah Khalid, Afghanistan’s Defense Minister, commented that the training exercises are to strengthen the readiness of the ANA and enchance relations with participating countries.

Iranian army soldiers (CGTN: CA)

The United States only had a handful of military personnel present at the training exercise. Some say that this represents the shifting relations of Afghan politics, choosing to ally and cooperate with neighboring, lesser superpowers such as Iran. Iran’s immediate allies, such as Syria and Venezuela, were also present during the joint training exercises.

Syrian and Iranian soldier holding up an Iranian flag (CGTN: CA)
Diego Igama