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US begins Philippines war games in thick of Middle East conflict
Japan joins the annual drills for the first time as the 19-day exercise includes live-fire operations and about 17,000 personnel.
- On Monday, April 20, the Philippines and the United States launched the annual Balikatan exercises, involving over 17,000 troops in one of the region's largest joint military drills.
- Balikatan, meaning "Shoulder to Shoulder," evolved from a bilateral drill into a multinational exercise involving around 20 countries. United States officials confirmed deployments remain unaffected by the ongoing Middle East conflict.
- The 19-day exercises feature live-fire operations in northern Luzon facing the Taiwan Strait. Japan is deploying 1,400 personnel and will use a Type 88 cruise missile to sink a target ship.
- Forces from Australia, New Zealand, France, and Canada are also participating. The Armed Forces of the Philippines noted that foreign military entry relies on established Status of Visiting Forces Agreements.
- Participation for Southeast Asian neighbors remains limited by the absence of similar defense treaties. Complex live-fire components require legal frameworks currently missing with regional nations, the AFP said.
24 Articles
24 Articles
War games in the South China Sea: The Philippines and the USA are again launching extensive military exercises – very close to controversial areas. For the first time, Japan is also actively involved.
ABC FOX Montana
US begins Philippines war games in thick of Middle East conflict
Thousands of American and Philippine troops, joined for the first time by a significant contingent of Japanese forces, began annual military exercises Monday set against the backdrop of the Middle East war.
Thousands of Filipino and U.S. soldiers, along with a contingent of Japanese forces, began on Monday an annual military exercise, in full conflict in the Middle East.The military games will include live-fire exercises in the northern Philippines, in front of the Taiwan Strait, as well as in a province near the disputed South China Sea, where clashes have occurred between the Philippines and China.You may be interestedGeopoliticaIran closes the S…
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