China, Russia and Iran hold 5-day military exercise

China launched five days of joint military exercises with Russia and Iran in the Indian Ocean on Monday, the Chinese defense ministry said, against the backdrop of rising armed conflict in the Red Sea, Report informs citing South China Morning Post.

The ministry said the navies of China, Iran and Russia would hold the “Maritime Security Belt – 2024” joint exercise from March 11 to 15 in the waters near the Gulf of Oman in the Indian Ocean.

It said China sent the 45th escort task force – consisting of the guided-missile destroyer Urumqi, the guided-missile frigate Linyi and the comprehensive supply ship Dongpinghu – to the exercise, “aiming to jointly maintain regional maritime security”.

According to the information, representatives from the navies of Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Oman, India and South Africa would act as observers.