Khartoum -- The field training exercise of Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF), dubbed "Mashariki Salaam II," started Saturday in Gebeit military base in eastern Sudan.

A total of 10 eastern African countries are taking part in the exercise which will run until Dec. 6.

Abdillahi Omar Bouh, the Secretary of EASF described the training drills as a great step toward for equipping the forces for future missions.

"This exercise will help the EASF to complete its readiness to carry out its assigned tasks, namely with regards to peacekeeping," said Lt. Gen. Yahya Mohamed Khair, Sudan's deputy chief of staff and chairman of EASF Committee of Chiefs of Defense Staff, in his speech to the opening ceremony of the exercise.

Abdillahi Omar Bouh, director of EASF, also highlighted the importance of the military exercise.
The exercise will "enhance the awareness of the ESAF within the region and beyond as well as maintain and enhance regional cohesion and cooperation," he said.

Established in 2004, EASF is one of the five regional multidimensional forces of the African Standby Force, assigned to consolidate peace and security in east African.