ULAN BATOR, June 15 (Xinhua) -- The annual multinational peacekeeping exercise Khaan Quest kicked off near the Mongolian capital here on Saturday with the participation of more than 1,700 peacekeepers from 38 countries such as Mongolia, China, Germany and India.
"Peacekeeping missions still remain one of the significant means to address armed conflicts, protect civilians, conduct disaster relief and rescue operations and render rehabilitation activities in disaster-affected areas," Mongolian President and Commander-in-Chief of the Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) Khaltmaa Battulga said at the opening ceremony.
"I believe that this annual exercise would be beneficial for peacekeepers to improve their professional skills, knowledge and experience," he said.
Peacekeepers from seven countries, namely, Benin, Zambia, Moldova, Rwanda, Togo, Israel and Jordan are taking part in the exercise for the first time, according to the MAF.
Khaan Quest 2019, which lasts through June 28, consists of a command post exercise and field training drills at Five Hills Training Area near Ulan Bator.
The exercise was launched in 2003 by the MAF in cooperation with the then U.S. Pacific Command and expanded to a multinational drill in 2006.
