Fiji Security Forces Test Readiness in Major Joint Exercise Simulating Civil Unrest and Flash Floods

Asia Pacific Report has confirmed that Fiji’s military, police, and emergency services have completed a large-scale joint exercise this week aimed at testing the nation’s readiness to respond to civil unrest, natural disasters, and armed rebellion.

The three-day operation, Exercise Genesis, is the first of its kind in Fiji and involved the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Territorial Force Brigade, the Fiji Police Force, the Fiji Navy, and the National Fire Authority (NFA).

Modelled on a fictitious island facing rising unemployment, poverty, and crime, the exercise was designed to strengthen inter-agency coordination and combat readiness in the face of growing regional security threats and climate-related disasters.

Exercise Genesis was structured into three phases, or “blocks,” each focusing on different security challenges.

Block One tested internal security measures such as crowd control and managing civil unrest. Officers in riot gear confronted simulated protesters, practising de-escalation and law enforcement tactics.

Block Two shifted to humanitarian response, with a simulated flash flood at Doroko village (Waila). A composite unit, supported by the Fiji Navy, rescued villagers and evacuated them to Nausori Town. Victims received first aid at the village before being transferred to an evacuation centre at Syria Park for further medical attention.

The final stage, Block Three, saw security forces engage in a mock counterinsurgency operation. A pre-dawn raid was launched on a “rebel hideout” identified by a joint tracker team and K9 unit from the Fiji Corrections Service.

According to the RFMF Territorial Brigade, the exercise is part of efforts to modernise Fiji’s response systems and ensure personnel are well-trained for complex emergencies.

“Through rigorous training and realistic scenarios, the RFMF continues to refine its combat proficiency, adaptability, and mission effectiveness,” a statement from the brigade said.

The exercise concluded with assurances that Fiji’s security forces are capable of safeguarding national security and contributing to regional stability when required.

However, not everyone welcomed the show of force. A critic of the exercise told Asia Pacific Report that addressing real crime and unrest in Fiji required more than military drills.

“Anyone serious about reducing crime would invest in young people and communities — not just in counterinsurgency training,” the critic said.

Source: Asia Pacific Report