# US, Ivorian SpecOps fine tuned counter-terror skills

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2021/07/us-ivorian-specops-fine-tuned-counter-terror-skills/
- Published: 2021-07-24T17:26:47+01:00
- Author: Ekene Lionel

United States Special Operations Command Africa forces concluded Joint Combined 
Exercise Training (JCET) with Ivory Coast Special Forces (Côte d’Ivoire Forces Speciales
Ivoirennes) on 9 July.

The JCET was done in Abijan to provide special operations units specific training
to hone military skills. JCETs often enhance US relationships with partner nations
by developing and maintaining critical military-to-military connections and improving
joint and allied readiness and interoperability, US Africa Command said.

![](https://www.military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/E64kGXbXMAE-zbN-1024x1024.
jpeg)

The JCET took place in the [advanced Counter-Terrorism Academy (AILCT) ](https://www.military.africa/2018/11/france-set-up-counter-terrorism-academy-ailct-in-cote-divoire-for-22-4-million)
built by France in Jacqueville, near Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

“Training alongside partners not only sharpens our military skills but also builds
the relationships we all need in difficult times,” said US Navy Rear Adm. Jamie 
Sands, commander, US Special Operations Command Africa . “We are proud to work alongside
our Ivoirian counterparts as they face violent extremist encroachment on their northern
border.”

Today, the level of professionalism required of those who wear a uniform is higher
than ever before,” US Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire Richard Bell said at the closing
ceremony. “Security is fundamental to creating an environment conducive to progress.
Mutual trust between authorities and civilians is crucial – it is precisely this
trust that the enemy is trying to break.”

According to the U.S. African Command (AFRICOM), this type of exercise provide opportunities
for units to work together, learn from each other, build interoperability, and strengthen
relationships.

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Since 2018, Ivory Coast have been making concerted effort to improve its counter-
terror and special operations. On this regard, Ruag Defence France, a subsidiary
of Swiss holding company Ruag, which specialize in simulation and training systems
was [awarded a contract to supply and install ](https://www.military.africa/2021/06/ruag-to-supply-ivorian-army-with-combat-simulators)
combat simulator systems for the Ivorian defence ministry. 

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The deal was signed by the Ivorian Defence minister Tiéné Birahima Ouattara during
the recently held Shield Africa 2021 defence exhibition.

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The JCET took place in the [advanced Counter-Terrorism Academy (AILCT) ](https://www.military.africa/2018/11/france-set-up-counter-terrorism-academy-ailct-in-cote-divoire-for-22-4-million)
built by France in Jacqueville, near Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, at a cost of $22.4 
million.

The Counter-Terrorism Academy (AILCT) is used to train the Ivorian Special Forces
in Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Insurgency (CT-COIN) Operations, High-value target
kill/capture (HVTK/C), hostage rescue operations etc.

 military.africa/2018/11/france-set-up-counter-terrorism-academy-ailct-in-cote-divoire-
for-22-4-million

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