Israel army holds surprise border drill

The Israeli army on Wednesday staged a surprise drill on the country’s northern border, the military said, amid tensions over Iran’s nuclear drive and the fate of Syria's chemical weapons, Al-Arabiya cites Agence France Presse as saying.

The one-day exercise was ordered by army chief Lieutenant General Benny Gantz, a military statement said, “in order to examine the competence and preparedness of several units in the army, led by the artillery corps.”

The drill was not previously announced, but the military said it had been scheduled.

“The drill is a part of routine inspection in the army,” the statement said. “These drills take place throughout the year.”