More than 20 ships and support vessels participated in the fifth annual exercise known as “Marine Security Belt,” which was held March 12.
The drill occurred in the Gulf of Oman, located in the far north waters of the Indian Ocean.
About those 'rumors of war'Chad Groening, AFN.net An expert on Bible prophecy says a joint naval exercise with Russia, China, and Iran reminds her of the Bible’s warning about wars and rumors of wars. More than 20 ships and support vessels are involved in an annual naval exercise called "Marine Security Belt 2024,” which is occurring in the Gulf of Oman. Jan Markell, founder and director of Olive Tree Ministries, is also the host of prophecy show “Understanding the Times” on American Family Radio. 
“The Bible talks about the kings of the East,” she points out. “And we don't even know who those kings are. We can make some assumptions. Might that be China?” That reference, in chapter 16 in the Book of Revelation, is describing the terrible battle known as Armageddon, which has yet to unfold on Earth. “So really what's going on, I would perceive, it's just more wars and rumors of wars at this point,” Markell says. |
China analyst Gordon Chang tells AFN the drill is important to all three countries because it occurs in the Gulf of Oman. That body of water, wedged between Iran and Oman, controls access to the Persian Gulf at the tip of the United Araba Emirates.
State-run media outlets said the annual drill is intended to protect economic activity in the region.
According to Chang, a vocal critic of the Chinese Communist Party, one of the countries involved in the drill cares about much more than commercial ocean lanes.
“China clearly wants to dominate the region,” Chang warns, “and it will stop at nothing to do so."
The newest “Marine Security Belt” naval exercise is an embarrassment to the Biden administration, Chang says. That is because of the Yemen-based Houthi rebels who continue to attack commercial ocean traffic as well as military vessels.
The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, are attacking ships in the Gulf of Aden, which is located southwest of the Gulf of Oman in the Arabian Sea.
“The United States can't prevent Russia, China, and Iran from these naval drills in international waters,” Chang says, “But what we can do is move effectively against the Houthis. The Biden administration has not done that.”
