ISTANBUL

All member nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held their first joint counter-terrorism live drill in China, state media reported on Tuesday.

The "Interaction-2024" exercise took place in northwestern Xinjiang province, according to China's Public Security Ministry. The drill featured special operations aimed at the "eradication of terrorist groups" and set a new standard for joint live exercises.

Founded in 2001 in Shanghai, the SCO originally comprised six countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. India and Pakistan joined in 2017, followed by Iran in 2023 and Belarus this year.

The organization also includes two observer states, Afghanistan and Mongolia, and 14 dialogue partners, including Türkiye.