Massive military exercise under way in Jordan

More than 12,000 troops from 19 nations are taking part in a massive military exercise in Jordan.

Publicly, Jordanian officials say the drills are unrelated to the conflict in neighbouring Syria. However, observers nevertheless believe some of the exercises, including how to deal with a flow of refugees, are being held at this time for a reason.

The drills also focused on border security, counterterrorism operations and attacks involving chemical, biological and radiation weaponry.

Al Jazeera’s Nisreen El-Shamayleh reports from southern Jordan, near the border with Saudi Arabia.