Aqaba, Oct. 26 (Petra) — HRH Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein patronized
the opening of the Middle East Special Operations Commanders
Conference (MESOC) in Aqaba on Monday.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Majdi Al Harasis and
Public Security Director Maj. Gen. Obaidallah Maaytah attended, along
with senior officers of the Jordan Armed Forces – Arab Army, security
agencies, Partner nations, and official figures.

More than 400 official delegations representing 75 countries are
taking part, alongside 350 exhibiting companies from 38 countries, to
discuss latest developments in the defense and security industries,
review modern technologies and strategies to confront future security
challenges, and promote international cooperation and the exchange of
expertise.

SOFEX Company Chairman Ayman Batran, said Jordan’s hosting of the
conference confirms its international standing as a reliable and
effective partner in countering terrorism, strengthening security
measures, developing institutional and operational capabilities, and
exchanging expertise. He added that it reflects the Kingdom’s robust
role in supporting security and peace in the region and the world.

Batran said this edition of SOFEX carries exceptional importance
because it comes amid a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex
security and operational environment. Shared knowledge and collective
experience have become essential to readiness and effective response,
he said, particularly in the field of drones and counter-drone
systems and to keep pace with technological transformations.

In his speech at the conference, the Special Forces commander said
the effectiveness of special operations forces today depends mainly
on anticipating and forecasting change, not merely reacting to it. He
stressed that contemporary security challenges require entrenching a
culture of institutional integration and building international
strategic partnerships.

This year’s focus on knowledge and innovation, multi-domain
operations, and international military cooperation is a key pillar
for strengthening regional resilience and developing capabilities to
face expected threats and conditions, he said.

Intensive panel discussions took place across three main sessions,
which addressed bridging the gap between theory and practice, and the
role of the military, academic and industrial sectors in technical
development, innovation and support for combat readiness.

Participants also examined the interdependence between unmanned
aerial systems (UAS) and special operations forces in asymmetric
warfare across different domains. They also discussed the challenges
and benefits of joint fusion and targeting centers, and the role of
military diplomacy and unconventional humanitarian missions.

The conference is an official event coinciding with the Jordanian
Special Operations Forces Exhibition “SOFEX 2026”, which opens on
Tuesday under Royal patronage at the Aqaba exhibition and conference
grounds and runs for three days, with local and international
participation. It will showcase the latest weapons, equipment, and
defense and security technologies.

//Petra// NQ