US, South Korea forces hold live-fire drills near border with North Korea

ANKARA

The US and South Korean forces Wednesday began joint live-fire exercises near border with North Korea, involving an American Stryker combat vehicle unit.

The two-week long combined live-fire exercises began on July 22 at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon, south of the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas and will run until Saturday, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported citing the military statement.

"This training enhances the rotational brigade's ability to adapt to the terrain and weather of the Korean Peninsula and incorporates Korean military equipment and tactics into small unit tactics," said the Army said in a statement.

The exercises involving the rotational unit, a South Korean tank platoon, and others, were staged with the aim of evaluating the rotational unit's company-level combat capabilities.

Tension on Korean Peninsula further grew after recent military drills by South Korea and the US and North Korean missile tests.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid