US and Philippine forces launch combat drills in the disputed South China Sea
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — American and Filipino forces launched their largest combat exercises in years Monday in a show of allied firepower near the disputed South China Sea that has alarmed Beijing.
The annual exercises by the longtime treaty allies will run until May 10 and involve more than 16,000 of their military personnel, along with more than 250 French and Australian forces.
While the Philippine military maintains that the Balikatan — Tagalog for “shoulder-to-shoulder” — trainings are not directed at a particular country, some of their main conflict scenarios are set in or near the disputed South China Sea, where Chinese and Philippine coast guard and accompanying ships have figured in a series of increasingly tense territorial faceoffs since last year.
In encounters in disputed areas, Chinese coast guard vessels have resorting to water cannons, blocking and other dangerous maneuvers that have caused injuries to Philippine navy personnel and damaged supply boats.
Related articles
- CAIRO (AP) — The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed on Tuesday they shot down an American dr2024-05-22
Kanye West sheds his usual all
Kanye West and his wife Bianca Censori made a surprisingly low-key visit to Disneyland on Tuesday.Th2024-05-22Canada, Germany sign MOU to implement transatlantic hydrogen corridor
OTTAWA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Canada and Germany on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)2024-05-22Gemma Collins shows off her curves in a 'candy' co
Gemma Collins showed off her sizzling curves in a 'candy' pink co-ord set as she posed up a storm fo2024-05-22Closing prices for crude oil, gold and other commodities
Benchmark U.S. crude oil for June delivery fell 26 cents to $79.80 per barrel Monday. Brent crude fo2024-05-22Feud: Capote vs The Swans review
Feud: Capote vs The Swans (Disney+)Rating:Truman Capote was the ultimate Gay Best Friend. A deliciou2024-05-22
atest comment