Swiss military to launch major counter-terrorism exercise in and around Geneva
If you are in or around Geneva this week, you will likely spot soldiers and armoured cars on the streets or near the Cointrin airport. Here's why.
While the presence of nearly 1,500 soldiers, dozens of police officers, as well as armoured tanks and other military vehicles may be frightening, it is all part of a major counter-terrorism exercise.
The operation will be conducted jointly with the cantonal police of Geneva and Vaud between Monday September 30th and October 8th.
The goal of the exercise is “to test the coordination processes between the army and the police, as well as to train and transmit security devices, particularly in the City of Geneva, around the airport, on various strategic points of the airport, and on various points along Lake Geneva”, according to 20 Minutes newspaper.
The army and police will also test their capacity to deploy a security force of 1,000 to 1,500 soldiers and officers within 27 hours.
The deployment of these troops and military vehicles may cause some traffic jams in Geneva, but the authorities said they would try to minimize the disturbances.
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While the presence of nearly 1,500 soldiers, dozens of police officers, as well as armoured tanks and other military vehicles may be frightening, it is all part of a major counter-terrorism exercise.
The operation will be conducted jointly with the cantonal police of Geneva and Vaud between Monday September 30th and October 8th.
The goal of the exercise is “to test the coordination processes between the army and the police, as well as to train and transmit security devices, particularly in the City of Geneva, around the airport, on various strategic points of the airport, and on various points along Lake Geneva”, according to 20 Minutes newspaper.
The army and police will also test their capacity to deploy a security force of 1,000 to 1,500 soldiers and officers within 27 hours.
The deployment of these troops and military vehicles may cause some traffic jams in Geneva, but the authorities said they would try to minimize the disturbances.
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