₦airaland Forum

Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have joined Israeli and U.S. forces to participate in the ongoing multinational air exercise Iniochos 2025 at the Andravida Air Base, Greece.

Newsweek has reached out to the Hellenic Air Force, the Israel Defense Force, and the governments of Qatar and the U.A.E. for comment.
The participation of these countries together highlights a significant realignment in regional military cooperation. Amid escalating Middle East conflicts—with U.S. rhetoric rising against Iran and attacks on its Houthi allies in Yemen— the exercise signals strengthening security ties between Arab states and Israel.

The United States is participating with F-16 fighters and KC-46 and KC-135 refueling aircraft. Israel has deployed a G-550 aircraft. The UAE is contributing with Mirage 2000-9 jets, and Qatar has sent F-15 fighters, according to the Hellenic Air Force (HAF).

The exercise, which runs from March 31 to April 11, 2025, includes a diverse array of air forces from allied and partner nations, including France, Italy, Spain and India.

Iniochos 2025 reportedly marked Qatar's first participation in this specific exercise alongside Israel. While both nations took part in the U.S.-hosted Red Flag exercise in 2016, their military cooperation has been limited due to historical tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Qatar has so far opposed normalization with Israel, unlike those such as the UAE and Bahrain which signed the Abraham Accords.

However, its recent participation could be seen as a de facto step toward cooperation. Qatar – which hosts a significant U.S. military presence – supports Palestinian factions but plays a mediating role between Israel and Hamas, alongside the U.S. and Egypt.

Israel is engaged in a prolonged military offensive against Hamas in Gaza with U.S. backing since the Islamist group attacked Israel in October 2023. Arab and Gulf states have criticized Israel over the humanitarian impact of the conflict, particularly the civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel have previously engaged in several joint military exercises, reflecting their evolving defense cooperation, especially after signing the Abraham Accords in 2020.

The U.S. in March launched what it called a 'decisive' series of military strikes against Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. The Trump administration has worked to strengthen ties with Gulf allies, seen as key partners in the Middle East, by facilitating advanced weapons sales and increasing investments in the U.S.

UAE Ministry of Defense on Instagram, Sunday, translated from Arabic: "The Air Force and Air Defense of the United Arab Emirates have arrived in Greece to participate in the "Iniochos 2025" exercise, which is being held at Andravida Air Base. The event will begin on March 31 and continue until April 11. It is worth mentioning that the "Iniochos" exercise is an annual multinational air exercise aimed at enhancing strategic partnerships, exchanging expertise, and contributing to improving combat readiness by conducting various air operations in a realistic training environment."

This growing military cooperation, despite past tensions, could lead to more formal alliances and reflect a broader shift toward rapprochement between Arab states and Israel.

Asonaijaaso:
This so-called “multinational cooperation” is nothing but a farce—another desperate attempt by the U.S. and its puppets to normalize Israel’s war crimes while the Palestinian people bleed. Qatar, which pretends to support Palestinians, now flies side by side with the very regime that has turned Gaza into rubble. The UAE, already fully sold to Western interests, continues its disgraceful betrayal of Arab unity.

No amount of military drills, no backroom deals, no illusions of “rapprochement” will erase the truth: Palestine will be free. History has proven that occupying forces always fall, and no empire—no matter how many jets it flies—can suppress a people’s will forever. The tide is turning. Oppressors will face justice, and Palestine will triumph.

Botragelad:
Pretty cool to see how nations like Qatar and the UAE have come to understand the indispensable role Israel plays in the region, embracing cooperation and mutual progress.

Yet, there are still those who cling to the fantasy that Hamas or Iran will somehow erase Israel from the map, a dream as old as it is impossible.
Am Yisrael Chai! The Jewish people endure, thrive, and continue to shine as a light among nations. No amount of hatred or wishful thinking can dim that truth.

2cato:
the more you look the less you see

Botragelad:
All I see is the destruction of Gaza, thousands of terrorists dead and Israel's strength. 🇮🇱

2cato:
face your front and stop lying to yourself you this igbo boy

Asonaijaaso:
This so-called “multinational cooperation” is nothing but a farce—another desperate attempt by the U.S. and its puppets to normalize Israel’s war crimes while the Palestinian people bleed. Qatar, which pretends to support Palestinians, now flies side by side with the very regime that has turned Gaza into rubble. The UAE, already fully sold to Western interests, continues its disgraceful betrayal of Arab unity.

No amount of military drills, no backroom deals, no illusions of “rapprochement” will erase the truth: Palestine will be free. History has proven that occupying forces always fall, and no empire—no matter how many jets it flies—can suppress a people’s will forever. The tide is turning. Oppressors will face justice, and Palestine will triumph.

Asonaijaaso:
This so-called “multinational cooperation” is nothing but a farce—another desperate attempt by the U.S. and its puppets to normalize Israel’s war crimes while the Palestinian people bleed. Qatar, which pretends to support Palestinians, now flies side by side with the very regime that has turned Gaza into rubble. The UAE, already fully sold to Western interests, continues its disgraceful betrayal of Arab unity.

No amount of military drills, no backroom deals, no illusions of “rapprochement” will erase the truth: Palestine will be free. History has proven that occupying forces always fall, and no empire—no matter how many jets it flies—can suppress a people’s will forever. The tide is turning. Oppressors will face justice, and Palestine will triumph.

Salewa97:
Israel is the biggest terrorist state in the world right now.

Asonaijaaso:
This so-called “multinational cooperation” is nothing but a farce—another desperate attempt by the U.S. and its puppets to normalize Israel’s war crimes while the Palestinian people bleed. Qatar, which pretends to support Palestinians, now flies side by side with the very regime that has turned Gaza into rubble. The UAE, already fully sold to Western interests, continues its disgraceful betrayal of Arab unity.

No amount of military drills, no backroom deals, no illusions of “rapprochement” will erase the truth: Palestine will be free. History has proven that occupying forces always fall, and no empire—no matter how many jets it flies—can suppress a people’s will forever. The tide is turning. Oppressors will face justice, and Palestine will triumph.

Asonaijaaso:
This so-called “multinational cooperation” is nothing but a farce—another desperate attempt by the U.S. and its puppets to normalize Israel’s war crimes while the Palestinian people bleed. Qatar, which pretends to support Palestinians, now flies side by side with the very regime that has turned Gaza into rubble. The UAE, already fully sold to Western interests, continues its disgraceful betrayal of Arab unity.

No amount of military drills, no backroom deals, no illusions of “rapprochement” will erase the truth: Palestine will be free. History has proven that occupying forces always fall, and no empire—no matter how many jets it flies—can suppress a people’s will forever. The tide is turning. Oppressors will face justice, and Palestine will triumph.

spiSeyi:
Northern Nigeria Muslims and overzealous Christians in the mud this is a proof that Palestine/Israeli saga is a war of political & personal interest. This guys don't give a hoot about any religion bigotry. Qatar + UAE (major stake holders in the Arab league) + Israel warming up for wiping out Iran and other terrorists