Iran begins ground war games

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Ground Forces began military exercises in southern Iran Saturday, officials said. The drills are taking place in Jahrom general zone, in Iran's southern province of Fars, Iran's Fars News Agency reported. "The drills are among a series of specialized war games of the IRGC ground force involving part of the operation units of Madina Headquarters," said Gen. Mohammad Pakpour. Pakpour said the exercises are aimed at maintaining and improving the combat preparedness of Iranian forces. Another series of Iranian ground military exercises in eastern Iran ended in early January, the news agency said. During those war games, armored units and commandos attacked positions of the hypothetical enemy in five phases and hit enemy with heavy fire. An IRGC senior commander said forces successfully tested the latest home-produced military tools and equipment as well as the capabilities of armored units during the January war games.