BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States and its allies will stage a 9-day military exercise in the Persian Gulf from Sunday. It focuses on emergency response action over biochemical incidents. The US Central Command says about 2,000 soldiers headed to the three drill sites in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain on Friday.

Soldiers from some Gulf Cooperation Council countries will also participate. They’re expected to practice coping with various emergencies, including pirate hijacking, toxic chemical leaks, and radiation incidents.

The exercise comes amid allegations the Syrian government may have used chemical weapons against rebels. The US has denied any link. Washington says the drill was planned one and half years ago. It says the purpose is to underline the US’s defense commitment to its allies in the Middle East.

(Source: CNTV.cn)