Engineer Hazem El-Ashmouni, Governor of Al-Sharkia, and Major General Hesham Hosni Hassan, Commander of the Popular and Military Defense Forces, witnessed the launch of the joint practical training exercise "Saqr 169" for crisis and disaster response. The exercise is being conducted by the Sharqia Governorate in cooperation with the governorate's Popular and Military Defense Forces, and took place in the governorate's meeting hall.

The joint practical training exercise "Saqr 169," presented by Dr. Omar Hegazi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports for Sports Affairs, began with the playing of the national anthem, followed by a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. The atmosphere was filled with patriotic fervor and a deep sense of responsibility for protecting the homeland and preserving its resources.

The events included a segment titled "Peace to the Martyr," followed by a speech from the Governor of Sharqia, who praised the national role played by the Popular and Military Defense Forces in supporting the governorates' capabilities to confront crises and disasters. He emphasized that the joint practical exercise "Saqr 169" represents a significant milestone in translating emergency and crisis management plans into practical applications on the ground.

During his speech, the Commander of the Popular and Military Defense Forces conveyed the greetings of Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production, and Lieutenant General Ahmed Fathi Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, to the Governor of Sharqia and members of the governorate's executive body for their fruitful cooperation and continuous coordination in raising readiness and enhancing capabilities in implementing the joint practical exercise "Saqr 169" to confront crises and disasters in the governorate.

The Commander of the Popular and Military Defense Forces affirmed that the exercise comes within the framework of the Armed Forces' plan aimed at developing the governorates' capabilities in crisis and disaster management through the implementation of realistic field scenarios that test the efficiency of the command and control system. He commended the preparedness, readiness, and cooperation he witnessed among the various concerned parties.