Joint naval manoeuvers of Turkey, Israel and US ..

"The manoeuvers will continue throughout the night and end on Thursday morning," Turkish military spokesman said.

Turkey is participating with two frigates, two coast guard cutters, two helicopters and a search-and-rescue plane, while the United States and Israel have sent four ships, five helicopters and two search-and-rescue planes in total.

Military officials from Jordan and Egypt were observing the drills. To allay unease over military cooperation, the three countries have insisted that the objective of the Reliant Mermaid drills is purely humanitarian and have invited officials from Arab countries to observe the manoeuvers.