South Africa calls BRICS naval drills ‘essential’ amid rising tensions
The maneuvers, titled “Will for Peace 2026,” began off Cape Town on Saturday, shortly after U.S. forces intercepted a Russian flagged tanker accused of violating sanctions on Venezuela. Washington has also recently seized five other vessels in the Caribbean as part of its blockade against the Latin American country.
Deputy Defense Minister Bantu Holomisa emphasized that the drills were not organized in reaction to U.S. actions, noting they had been scheduled months earlier. He remarked, “Let us not press panic buttons because the US has got a problem with countries. Those are not our enemies.” Holomisa added that the priority is “on cooperating with the BRICS countries and making sure that our seas, especially the Indian Ocean and Atlantic, they are safe.”
Reports indicate that South Africa, China, and Iran have deployed destroyers for the exercises, while Russia and the United Arab Emirates are participating with corvettes. Other BRICS members—including Brazil, Indonesia, and Ethiopia—have sent observers. The drills are expected to run until January 16.
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