US-Philippines Military Exercises Kick Off Under Shadow of Middle East War, Japan Participates in Large Numbers for the First Time

Under the shadow of the war in the Middle East, thousands of US and Philippine soldiers launched their annual military exercises on the 20th, with Japanese forces joining in large numbers for the first time this year.

According to AFP, the drills will feature live-fire exercises in areas of northern Philippines facing the Taiwan Strait and near the disputed South China Sea provinces. The Philippines and China have faced repeated tense standoffs in the South China Sea.

Philippine exercise spokesperson Hernandez stated that Japan's Self-Defense Forces have dispatched 1,400 personnel to participate this time, and will fire the Type 88 land-based anti-ship missile to sink a target ship off the coast of Bauang town in northern Philippines.

The 19-day "Balikatan" exercise involves more than 17,000 army, navy, and air force troops, similar in scale to last year, with additional forces from Australia, New Zealand, France, and Canada participating.

US spokesperson Bonner said before the opening ceremony, "The Balikatan exercises represent an opportunity to demonstrate the rock-solid alliance between the US and the Philippines and underscore our commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

Bonner also stated that the scale of US troops deployed this time is "one of the largest deployments in many years" and will not be affected by the current Middle East war. However, he declined to disclose the specific number of troops.