China, Russia and Iran maneuvering in the Gulf of Oman

Joint maneuvers between China, Iran and Russia began yesterday, Monday March 11, in the waters near the Gulf of Oman.

These military exercises are to last five days in order to “ 

together protect regional maritime security 

,” said the Chinese Ministry of Defense.

Chinese military ships in exercise (Illustrative image).

Reuters/Nicky Loh

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“Maritime Security Belt 2024” is the name of these joint exercises in the Indian Ocean, writes our correspondent in Beijing,

Stéphane Lagarde

.

“2024”, because it is the second time since the Hamas attack against Israel on October 7 and the start of the war in Gaza, that the People's Liberation Army has participated in this type of joint maneuvers in the region.

The 45th Escort Task Force

On site, for China, the 45th escort task force, composed, recalls the

South China Morning Post

, of the guided-missile destroyer

Urumqi

, the guided-missile frigate

Linyi

and the supply ship

Dongpinghu

.

The stated objective is to “

 jointly maintain regional maritime security 

”, while attacks in the Red Sea by Houthi fighters from Yemen supported by Iran disrupt international trade.

For its part, mentions AFP, Russia indicated that a detachment of ships from the Pacific Fleet, led by the cruiser

Varyag

, arrived Monday in the port of Chabahar, in southeastern Iran. 

These joint maneuvers are planned to " 

begin Tuesday evening in the northern Indian Ocean 

", announced the spokesperson for the exercise, Iranian Rear Admiral Mostafa Tajoddini, during a joint press conference with the commanders Russian and Chinese units.

A message to the United States

Beijing, which stations its ships in Djibouti, has not officially condemned these attacks, but has reportedly asked Tehran to curb its allies.

A message also sent to the United States, whose Beijing, Tehran and Moscow condemn what they consider to be hegemonism.

The latest tripartite naval maneuver between China, Russia and Iran in the waters near the Gulf of Oman in 2023, - beyond live fire exercises - also involved anti-piracy training and a rescue mission on a hijacked ship.

Also read: China: the first navy in the world

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