Joint Military Exercise in South China Sea: Australian, US, and Filipino Forces Practice Island Retake

Australian, Filipino, and US forces conducted a large military drill in the Philippines, practicing the retaking of an island seized by hostile forces in the South China Sea. The drill involved mock beach landings, assaults, and helicopter insertions, with the participation of 1,200 Australians, 560 Filipinos, and 120 US Marines. While the three countries are vocal critics of China's actions in the disputed waters, the Philippine military clarified that Beijing was not the intended target of the combat drills. The exercises aimed to promote the rule of law and peace in the region, with plans for joint patrols in the South China Sea and support for the 2016 ruling that invalidated China's claim to the area.