Palestinian forces hold large scale training drill

Описание: (2 Jul 2019) LEAD IN:
Palestinian security forces have staged a large-scale joint training drill in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.
The exercise included members of the National Guard, police, intelligence services and civil defence.

STORY-LINE:
Soldiers in uniforms brandish their weapons.
But his is all for practice - they are taking part in a training exercise.
They are making sure they can secure convoys for high-profile officials in the city of Bethlehem.
In an operations room, officials monitor the drill - videos of protests play, an example of the conditions security forces could face.
Today's task has been designed to be as realistic as possible.
"The scenario is a visit by a president of a country and at the same time and according to security information there will be a protest at Nativity Street. Necessary requirements were put in place to secure this visiting guest and secure the route of the convoy and the places of visit in the right way," says Colonel Nadel Omar, Commander of the Bethlehem area.
Roads are partially closed in the city for the training.
A convoy of security forces, visitors, and emergency responders drive from the Bethlehem checkpoint to different religious sites in the city.
The Palestinian security forces are run by the Fatah movement and under the overall control of the Palestinian Authority.
Fatah has dominated Palestinian politics since its founding five decades ago.
But its leader Mahmoud Abbas has seen his popularity plummet due to years of failed peace efforts with Israel, a stagnant West Bank economy and his inability to reconcile with the rival Hamas movement, which seized control of the Gaza Strip from his forces nearly a decade ago.

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