Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's envoy to Vienna quoting Russian ambsasador to IAEA: European-American trajectory regarding Iran's program is wrong.
Al Mayadeen's envoy to Vienna: US was main participant in helping draft European proposal to IAEA.
Al Mayadeen's envoy quoting Iranian ambsassador: We will retaliate against any politicized step by IAEA.
Al Mayadeen's envoy quoting Iranian ambassador to IAEA: All allegations regarding Iran's nuclear program are politicized.
Tenenti: I do not distinguish between the French forces and UNIFIL. Each party is doing its part in terms of implementing UNSC Resolution 1701.
Tenenti: We must reinstate stability in southern Lebanon.
Tenenti: The Lebanese Army is committed to implementing international law and mobilize in southern Lebanon.
Tenenti: It is the Security Council that decides on the feasibility and need for UNIFIL in southern Lebanon.
UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti: There have been no discussions about UNIFIL, and we are carrying out our duties in cooperation with the Lebanese Army.
Tenenti: The Israeli forces must withdraw from the points they have occupied in southern Lebanon.

US-Philippines Balikatan military drills to be largest yet

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 17 Apr 2024 21:19
3 Min Read

The maneuvers will involve over 16,000 military personnel from both the Philippines and the US, with participation from additional nations such as France and Australia.

  • x
  • US-Philippine Drills
    A U.S. M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) fires a missile during a Combined Joint Littoral Live Fire Exercise at the joint military exercise called "Balikatan," Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder in a Naval station in Zambales province, northern Philippines on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. (AP)

The upcoming Balikatan military exercise between the US and the Philippines, scheduled to take place from April 22 to May 10, is set to be the most extensive yet, according to a press release from the US Embassy in Manila on Tuesday.

"Each year, we work closely with AFP [armed forces of the Philippines] senior leaders to make Balikatan more challenging. This year, we've increased the scope, scale, and complexity across all domains ... It's our most expansive Balikatan yet," Lt. Gen. William Jurney, who is responsible for designing, planning and conducting the maneuvers, said in the statement. 

The maneuvers will involve over 16,000 military personnel from both the Philippines and the US, with participation from additional nations such as France and Australia. Observers from another fourteen countries, including Germany, India, New Zealand, Thailand, and South Korea, will be present during the exercises.

Shoulder to shoulder in service: @TeamAFP and U.S. military personnel joined forces with local government units for medical outreach and community engagement activities ahead of #Balikatan 2024. #FriendsPartnersAllies

Read more about #Balikatan here: https://t.co/lXno8w7TfF pic.twitter.com/5EJM6j7510

— U.S. Embassy in the Philippines (@USEmbassyPH) April 17, 2024

The activities planned for Balikatan 2024 encompass a wide range of missions across various domains, including maritime security, sensing and targeting, air and missile defense, dynamic missile strikes, cyber defense, and information operations. Additionally, a Multilateral Maritime Exercise will be conducted in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone involving the Philippine Navy, US Navy, and French Navy.

However, the joint naval drills have stirred concerns, particularly regarding their location. According to reports from The Washington Post, the drills will extend beyond the Philippines' territorial waters, potentially into areas claimed by China.

Read more: No intention for more bases for US in Philippines: Marcos Jr.

Related News

US-China meeting in London aims to resolve disputes: White House

Grossi says Iran transparent, no proof of nuclear militarization

Among the operations planned for Balikatan, one will involve simulating the capture of two islands off the Philippines' western and northern coasts, followed by the transportation of the HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system for live-fire exercises.

Another operation will feature the debut of a South-Korean-manufactured ship-based missile system by Philippine warships, working in coordination with US Air Force squadrons to conduct a simulated ship-sinking exercise.

Medium-range missiles draw Russia's ire

Meanwhile, the deployment of US medium-range missiles in the Philippines has sparked international concern. Russian Ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, warned that such actions could lead to global instability, urging the United States to refrain from actions that could jeopardize international security.

"The deployment of medium-range missiles by the Pentagon [in the Philippines] will become a 'black day' for international security," Antonov told reporters. 

The deployment of the Mid-Range Capability, also known as the Typhon Weapon System, capable of firing Standard Missile 6 (SM6) and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, was announced by the US Army as part of the ongoing exercise Salaknib 24.

"We urge the United States not to open a Pandora's Box and to follow the example of our country by taking all necessary steps to ensure global stability and predictability," Antonov added. 

LOOK: Groups from different sectors held a protest to oppose the Trilateral Cooperation Summit between the #Philippines, #US, and #Japan. Groups also condemned the Balikatan Exercises between the PH and US military of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). pic.twitter.com/fRimVFNZVw

— ILPS Commission 10 (@ilpscomm10) April 11, 2024

Read more: Philippines: Deal with US, Japan to shift dynamic in South China Sea

  • United States
  • Russia
  • Balikatan
  • Philippines
  • military drills

Most Read

The logo of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence (wikidata)

Iran acquired thousands of sensitive Israeli documents: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 7 Jun 2025
A Palestinian woman mourns as she embraces the body of her daughter Mayar Abu Odeh, 8, who was killed in an Israeli army strike on Gaza. at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP)

French port workers block arms shipment to 'Israel' amid Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 4 Jun 2025
New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

New Syrian group claims Golan strike, vows resistance to 'Israel'

  • Politics
  • 4 Jun 2025
Iranian demonstrators walk on a caricature of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the annual Quds Day rally in support of Palestinians, in Tehran, Iran, Friday, March 28, 2025 (AP)

Iran hits 'Israel' hard without arms; intel breach lays Tel Aviv bare

  • Politics
  • 7 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
President Donald Trump holds the signed charter for the 2026 FIFA World Cup task force in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Washington (AP)
US & Canada

US-hosted FIFA tournaments raise immigration fears for World Cup fans

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi visits the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) outside the town of Kurchatov, in the Kursk Region, Russia, on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 (Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation)
Politics

Grossi says Iran transparent, no proof of nuclear militarization

Protesters confront a line of U.S. National Guard in the metropolitan detention center of downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Trump tests presidential authority by sending troops to quell protests

Sen. Bernie Sanders, speaks during a “Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here” event Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Lincoln High School in Warren, Michigan (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
US & Canada

Sanders warns of authoritarianism after Trump sends Guard to LA

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS