A US-led military exercise code-named “Justified Accord” begins in Kenya yesterday, with more than 20 nations taking part in what has been billed as the largest event of its kind in East Africa.

The 11-day exercise, which will end next Thursday, is aimed at increasing participating countries’ readiness for peacekeeping missions, crisis response and humanitarian assistance.

Dozens of US-trained Somali commandos will take part in the exercise, which reports say will bring together 1,000 personnel and units from 23 nations.