Romania honors its military with Army Day

2017-10-29 11:07 Last Updated At：23:52

Romanian military personnel have celebrated Army Day with parades, but also lighter moments, in honor of the country's military men and women.

Service members in uniform gathered in Carol Park in the capital of Bucharest on Wednesday, where a trio of military jets flew over a war memorial on a clear, sunny day. The celebration was also a relaxed occasion: troops took selfies, embraced loved ones and clutched bouquets of flowers.

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Military student pose for a group photograph before the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. Romania celebrated Army Day and 100 years from a landmark WWI victory against advancing German troops in 1917. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Students hold their weapons before the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A couple kiss after the swearing in ceremony for the military students in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, as the Romanian Army celebrates Army Day with parades in honor of the country’s military men and women. The Romanian military service is marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A woman takes a group photograph before the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A girl holds a student's hand before the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A girl hugs her boyfriend after the swearing in ceremony for the military students, as they prepare to leave for their units, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A student stands at attention before the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A child holds his brother's weapon before the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A couple kiss before the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is proudly celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Students parade during the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is proudly celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

An officer stands behind a formation of students before the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is proudly celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Students march during the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is proudly celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

An elderly woman watches students march during the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is proudly celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Family members pose for a photograph with a student after the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is proudly celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Students, one holding flowers, wait in formation after the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is proudly celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

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Military student pose for a group photograph before the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. Romania celebrated Army Day and 100 years from a landmark WWI victory against advancing German troops in 1917. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Students hold their weapons before the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A couple kiss after the swearing in ceremony for the military students in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017, as the Romanian Army celebrates Army Day with parades in honor of the country’s military men and women. The Romanian military service is marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A woman takes a group photograph before the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A girl holds a student's hand before the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A girl hugs her boyfriend after the swearing in ceremony for the military students, as they prepare to leave for their units, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A student stands at attention before the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A child holds his brother's weapon before the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

A couple kiss before the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is proudly celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Students parade during the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is proudly celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

An officer stands behind a formation of students before the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is proudly celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Students march during the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is proudly celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

An elderly woman watches students march during the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is proudly celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Family members pose for a photograph with a student after the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is proudly celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Students, one holding flowers, wait in formation after the swearing in ceremony for the military students, in Bucharest, Romania, Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017. The Romanian Army is proudly celebrating their Army Day and marking 100-years since the landmark battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle in 1917 when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

Some came with children, who under supervision played with unloaded rifles. Others brought their parents.

This year marks 100 years since the battle of Marasesti, a key World War I battle when Romanian and Russian soldiers defeated German troops, halting a German offensive.

Romania has more than 620 troops now in Afghanistan, and 300 others are involved in NATO, EU, U.N. and OSCE missions elsewhere.

The country first celebrated Army Day in 1959.

The Nigerian army frees 360 abducted people in northeastern Borno state

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — The Nigerian army said Sunday it freed 360 people abducted by Boko Haram in southern Borno, in the northeastern part of the country.

The operation, according to the army’s statement, was conducted in the Mandara mountains which form a part of the militant group’s stronghold. It resulted in the release of several people, including children, who had been abducted across different communities in Borno.

Two infants “succumbed to exhaustion" due to the challenging mountainous terrain and the hardship they endured during their prolonged captivity, an army spokesperson, Haruna Sani, said.

“The remaining rescued abductees were successfully evacuated to safe locations for medical care and humanitarian support, marking a major operational success and a significant setback for the terrorist group,” Sani said.

Nigeria faces a complex security crisis, especially in the north where a more than decade-long insurgency and the activities of armed groups that carry out kidnappings for ransom and illegal mining have heightened the country’s security challenges.

Among the most prominent Islamic militant groups are Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, which is affiliated with the Islamic State group and known as Islamic State West Africa Province.

Last month, the West African country said its joint operation with the United States had killed 175 ISWAP fighters.

The insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast has killed thousands of people and displaced millions, according to the United Nations. Analysts say not enough is being done by the government to protect its citizens, despite repeated promises by President Bola Tinubu to curb the crisis.

Romania honors its military with Army Day