Code "Eurasia-Counterterrorism-2026" SCO Joint Counterterrorism Exercise Held in Belarus

According to the resolution of the Council of the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a joint anti-terrorism exercise codenamed "Eurasia-Anti-Terror-2026" will be held in Minsk, Belarus, from October 4 to October 8, 2026. This exercise is the first hosted by Belarus since joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, with anti-terror law enforcement forces from the Ministry of Public Security of China and other member states participating.

The exercise closely aligns with the current changes in international and regional security situations, aiming to identify and eliminate the threats posed by international terrorist organizations within the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, enhance the practical skills of member states' authorities in responding to terrorist threats, improve the effectiveness of all parties involved in anti-terror operations, accumulate experience for international law enforcement security cooperation, demonstrate a firm resolve to combat the "three forces," and strengthen joint anti-terror capabilities.

The participating personnel from the member states' authorities and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will form a joint command for the exercise, responsible for its organization and implementation. The exercise will be conducted in two phases.

The first phase will involve anti-terror intelligence sharing and operational responses by the authorities of each member state, coordinated by the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure.

The second phase will be based on the relevant procedural agreements for organizing and conducting joint anti-terror operations and exercises within the member states. The Belarusian authorities will invite the participating forces from member states to conduct practical drills, focusing on the elimination of terrorists in crowded places, hostage rescue, countering drone terrorist attacks, bomb disposal, and anti-terror operations against illegal armed groups in rural and residential areas, as well as conducting joint anti-terror tactical actions.

The Chinese participating forces will carry out bomb disposal tasks during the exercise, smoothly organizing lockdowns, reconnaissance confirmation, on-site handling, and recovery checks at each operational stage, accurately eliminating the threat of explosive attacks, completing assigned tasks, and showcasing the tactical and operational capabilities of China's anti-terror law enforcement forces at a high level. Observers from the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, member states' authorities, and relevant international organizations will attend the exercise.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Over the past 25 years, under the strong guidance of the "Shanghai Spirit," China and the member states have continuously strengthened law enforcement security cooperation, developed comprehensive international cooperation legal documents, established a series of practical cooperation mechanisms, and enhanced the capacity to combat the "three forces" through regular joint anti-terror exercises and other cooperative measures, jointly addressing security threats and challenges, and maintaining regional security.

(CCTV reporter Chen Yu)