More than 12,000 troops from 19 nations are taking part in a massive military exercise in Jordan.

Publically, Jordanian officials say the drills are unrelated to the conflict in neighbouring Syria. But observers nevertheless believe some of the exercises, including how to deal with a flow of refugees, are held at this time for a reason.

The drills also focused on border security, counter-terrorism operations, and attacks involving chemical, biological and radiation weaponry.

Al Jazeera's Nisreen El-Shamayleh reports from southern Jordan, near the border with Saudi Arabia.