Indonesia hosts huge multi-national military exercise; Malaysia taking part on observer status

Military personnel from Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Britain and the US posing for photographs during the opening ceremony of the Super Garuda Shield joint military exercises in Sidoarjo on Aug 26, 2024. - AFP

SIDOARJO, Indonesia: Thousands of military personnel from Indonesia, the US, and eight other countries began two weeks of exercises on Monday (Aug 26), focused on joint capabilities in the Asia-Pacific.

The region, particularly in the South China Sea, has seen tensions rise this year with flashpoints between littoral states claiming sovereignty over disputed islands and waterways.