China PLA stationed up to 6 warships in Middle East over past week amid rising tensions from Israel-Gaza war: reports
- The arrival of a replacement escort group in the Gulf region meant two advanced 052D destroyers have been stationed there at a time of heightened tensions
- The PLA’s 44th task force arrived in Kuwait for a five-day visit on Wednesday after spending several days in Oman’s capital Muscat
Up to six Chinese warships have been operating in the Middle East over the past week, according to reports.
The 44th naval escort task force has been involved in routine operations in the area since May and arrived in Kuwait for a five-day visit on Wednesday, according to the Chinese defence ministry website.
The task force left Oman’s capital Muscat on Saturday after spending several days there last week, including a joint exercise with the country’s navy, state media reported.
During the visit, Chinese commanders met Omani military officials and visited military institutions, while sailors from both countries toured each other’s shops. They also organised a basketball game, according to the state news agency Xinhua.
It has been involved in escort missions for shipping since arriving in the Gulf of Aden north of Somalia six months ago and handed over its mission to the 45th escort task force earlier this month.
The new convoy, from the PLA’s Northern Theatre command, consists of another Type 052 destroyer, the Urumqi; the frigate Linyi and supply ship Dongpinghu.
The Linyi took part in its first mission, escorting a Panamanian cargo ship in an unknown location, earlier this month, according to Xinhua.
