Lithuania hosts major international defense exercise

VILNIUS - Hundreds of military experts from a wide array of NATO countries have gathered in Lithuania to take part in military exercises that will squash a fake rebellion in the country.

The Lithuanian defense ministry said the scenario would involve violence erupting in a breakaway region.

"Ethnic majority of Sapalija region of democratic state Samora establishes SApalija Freedom Movement (SFM) for the independence of Sapalija. Civil unrest and suicide attacks flares in the state. Government of Samora introduces state of emergency and curfew. Ethnic turmoil is fueled by SFM," the ministry said in a press release ahead of the exercises. 

The exercises, dubbed "Baltic Host 2011", began on April 4.

More than 140 personnel from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Poland, USA, NATO and the United States European Command (EUCOM) will gather at the main headquarters of the exercise in Nemenčinė, the press release said. Those troops will be matched by an additional 140 from the Baltic States.

"Baltic Host 11 is a perfect opportunity to test our readiness to receive NATO’s support," Minister of National Defence Rasa Juknevičienė said.