US begins Philippines war games in thick of Middle East conflict

Thousands of American and Philippine troops, joined for the first time by a significant contingent of Japanese forces, began annual military exercises on April 20, set against the backdrop of the Middle East war.



The war games will feature live-fire exercises in the north of the country facing the Taiwan Strait, as well as a province off the disputed South China Sea, where the Philippines and China have engaged in repeated confrontations.



The Japanese military, which is contributing 1,400 personnel, will use a Type 88 cruise missile to sink a target ship off northern Paoay, said Colonel Dennis Hernandez, the Philippine exercise spokesman.



More than 17,000 soldiers, airmen and sailors are taking part in the 19-day Balikatan, or Shoulder to Shoulder, exercises - about the same number as 2025's edition - including contingents from Australia, New Zealand, France and Canada.