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
Palestinian media: Israeli occupation forces storm the Old City in the center of Nablus, occupied West Bank
Local sources to Al Mayadeen: Sudanese army forces drones strike town of Kabkabiya, North Darfur.
Syrian Observatory: The plane is loaded with air defense systems and heavy weapons as part of US troop reinforcements to its bases in northeastern Syria
Syrian Observatory: US cargo plane lands with two military helicopters at Kharab al-Jir base in the countryside of Rmeilan, north of Hasakah
Miguel Díaz-Canel to Gustavo Petro: US seeks to reimpose the Monroe Doctrine in its relations with sovereign states in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, the military wing of the PFLP, says they handed over the body of an Israeli captive to the Israeli occupation forces in implementation of the clauses of the ceasefire agreement.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: Israeli drones are flying over the presidential palace in Baabda, Mount Lebanon, and over the skies of the capital, Beirut, and its suburbs.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launch a series of raids on the al-Mahmoudiya and Jarmaq areas
Trump reiterates proposal for Russia and Ukraine to stop at current front line, negotiate later
Reuters: Trump says no discussion regarding Ukraine ceding Donbas to Russia

US, Philippines largest-ever war games kicked off

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 28 Mar 2022 07:30
  • 3 Shares
3 Min Read

Filipino military head said the Balikatan war games demonstrated the two countries' "deepening alliance".

  • x
  • US, Philippines kick off their largest-ever war games
    The US, Philippines kick off their largest-ever war games

On Monday, the Philippines and the United States began the largest-ever combined military training in the island nation, signifying increasing security relations as new tensions in the disputed South China Sea arise.

The war drills are the final under outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, who earlier threatened to halt exercises and sever ties with longtime ally the United States as he shifted his focus to China.

Nearly 9,000 Filipino and American soldiers will participate in the 12-day training exercise across the main island of Luzon, which is normally an annual event but was canceled or reduced due to the pandemic.

At the opening ceremony in Manila, Philippine military head General Andres Centino stated that the greatest iteration of the Balikatan war games demonstrated the two countries' "deepening alliance".

According to US Major General Jay Bargeron, their respective armed services' "friendship and confidence" will allow them to "succeed together across the entire spectrum of military operations."

Maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief will all be covered in the exercises.

Recent maneuverings between the two countries have centered on the possibility of conflict in the South China Sea.

Related News

Court approves Trump’s Oregon National Guard deployment to Portland

EU shift from Russian gas with US LNG risky: Gazprom CEO

Since entering office in 2016, Duterte has drawn closer to China but has faced opposition from the Philippine people and military concerns over its territorial ambitions in the seas.

Trillions of dollars in trade pass through the strategic sea, which is also thought to be rich in petroleum deposits, making it a recurrent source of regional conflict.

China has defied a 2016 decision by The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration that its historical claim is unfounded.

It has bolstered its position by erecting artificial islands over several contested reefs and erecting armaments on them.

Tensions spike 

The future of the war games has been called into question after Duterte announced in February 2020 that he intended to terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement, which provides the legal basis for the United States to conduct joint military exercises and operations in the Philippines.

However, he reversed his decision in July, as tensions between Manila and Beijing, ignited by the US, over the South China Sea rose.

The drills are taking place in the shadow of Russia's special operation in Ukraine. The US and its allies are arming Kiev while imposing severe economic sanctions on Moscow.

Duterte, whose six-year tenure expires in June, has expressed concern that the Philippines is "engaged" in the fight due to its security relationship with the US.

This includes a mutual defense treaty and the US military's permission to station defense equipment and supplies on many Philippine facilities.

  • United States
  • Moscow
  • South China Sea
  • China
  • Kiev
  • Philippines

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Yemeni Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari , during a ceremony in an undisclosed locations in Yemen, undate (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemeni Armed Forces mourn martyred Chief of Staff al-Ghamari

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
Israeli occupation violates Gaza ceasefire, killing seven Palestinians.

Israeli occupation violates Gaza ceasefire, kills seven Palestinians

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Zionists Fundamentally Misread Iran Due To Their Own Echo Chambers

Zionists fundamentally misread Iran due to their own echo chambers

  • Analysis
  • 15 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
UK blocks release of documents on secretive Lammy-Sa’ar meeting.
Politics

UK blocks release of documents on secret Lammy-Sa’ar meeting

Colombia slams Trump’s drug accusation, defends sovereignty
Politics

Colombia slams Trump’s incendiary drug claims, defends sovereignty

The abuse was detailed in Giuffre's memoir "Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice." (AP)
Politics

Epstein victim recounts choking, sexual assault by 'well-known PM'

The US Secret Service discovered a hunting stand near the airport President Donald Trump uses in Florida. (US Secret Service)
Politics

FBI probes hunting stand with sightline to Trump’s Air Force One exit

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