Militaries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) began their first-ever joint exercises on Tuesday in Indonesia, with a Myanmar representative present despite the bloc's ban on its junta leaders.

ASEAN countries have participated in multinational security drills before, but these are the first featuring solely the bloc.

According to the host Indonesia, these are non-combat exercises, with member forces training in areas such as humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, rescue operations, and joint maritime patrols.

"By uniting together, we can maintain stability in the region for the favor of the people," Indonesian military chief Margono Yudo told reporters on Batam island.

He said forces from every nation in the bloc, including Myanmar, are taking part in the five-day ASEAN Solidarity Exercise but did not detail the extent of Myanmar's participation. The crisis-hit nation was represented at the exercise's opening ceremony on Batam island by a defense attache.

An Indonesian military official later told AFP on condition of anonymity that Myanmar would only attend the drills as an observer.

The country has been in upheaval since the military overthrew the government in February 2021. The leaders of its junta have since been banned from ASEAN meetings, and the bloc's efforts to defuse the crisis have been fruitless so far.

Indonesia has also denied that the drills are aimed at China in the South China Sea.

Initially, organizers had planned to hold the ASEAN Solidary Exercise in the North Natuna Sea, which Indonesia says is inside its exclusive economic zone. But China also sends patrols there occasionally to assert its historic claim on the area.

After talks between ASEAN military chiefs in June, the exercise was moved to the South Natuna Sea, avoiding the disputed waters.

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