Russia to hold joint naval exercises with Eritrea

Eritrea's naval exercises with the Russian Federation brings a new light to the Russian Pacific Fleet's in the Red Sea

Russia to hold joint naval exercises with Eritrea

On March 28th, 2024, Russia made viral headlines when 2 of its Pacific Fleet ships, missile cruiser Varyag and the Udaloy-class frigate ‘Marshal Shaposhnikov’ crossed the strategic choke point Bab-el-Mandeb (Gate of Tears in Arabic) and entered the Red Sea. Much speculation was generated on the final destination and reason for the Russian warship entry to the Red Sea.

Keep in mind that just recently Russia had performed a 5 day naval exercise with China and Iran in the Indian Ocean against the backdrop of rising armed conflict in the Red Sea from March 11-15, 2024 dubbed Sea Security Belt 2024– 2024.

The Sea Security Belt 2024 exercise occurred near the Gulf of Oman is one of 6 round that started in 2018. This year, more than 20 ships participated in the exercises, including the Russian Navy Pacific Fleet ships, cruiser and fleet flagship RFS Varyag (011) and destroyer RFS Marshal Shaposhnikov (543).

Exercises included conducting tactical maneuvering drills and live firing against surface targets and aerial targets simulating unmanned air vehicles, and the firing drills also included night time firing.

For further reading on Sea Security Belt 2024, see here.

https://news.usni.org/2024/03/14/russia-china-and-iran-finish-drills-in-gulf-of-oman

According to the Eritrean Ministry of Information, the Marshal Shaposhnikov arrived in Massawa port, and was welcomed by the Eritrean navy. The welcoming ceremony was attended by senior government officials, Commanders of the Eritrean Defense Forces, and Mr. Igor Mozgo, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Eritrea.

Senior government officials and military Commanders toured the naval frigate and received a briefing on the objectives of its tour and its history.

TASS (Russian News Agency) also provided a statement on the visit. The frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov was the 1st visit by a Russian warship to the country in the Russian Federation's modern history.

"A welcoming ceremony for the Russian vessel on the first ever visit to Eritrea in Russia’s history, attended by the African country’s officials and Navy, was held at the port," the fleet said. "The port call by the Pacific Fleet vessel will last a few days after which the frigate will continue accomplishing tasks assigned to it for its long-distance sea voyage," it added.

https://tass.com/defense/1767615

Per RT, the warship will participate in joint drills with the Eritrean navy. This event marks the 30 year long diplomatic ties and works between the Russian Federation and the State of Eritrea. Last May, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, who visited Russia on an official visit to discuss prospects on dual nation developments in various fields, as well as current regional and international issues.

Afwerki also took part in Russia-Africa Summit held in St. Petersburg last July. The two leaders also met on the sidelines of the summit.

https://www.rt.com/africa/595071-eritrea-russia-navy-exercises/

In addition to naval exercises, TASS reports "cultural and sporting activities for its navymen will be organized during the port call. Thus, the crew of the frigate will have a sightseeing tour, and teams made up of crew members will play friendly matches against the host side".

My take

Eritrea was one of only 5 nations (along with Russian Federation, DKRP/North Korea, Syria, and Belarus) to vote against the UN General Assembly resolution that “demand[ed] that Russia “immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.”

https://fmso.tradoc.army.mil/2023/russia-possibly-courting-eritrea-for-red-sea-naval-base/

Furthermore, Eritrea and Russia are members of ‘Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter’ which "will strive to preserve, promote and defend the prevalence and validity of the UN Charter."

Members of the Group include Algeria, Angola, Belarus, Bolivia, Cambodia, China, Cuba, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Iran, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Nicaragua, the State of Palestine, Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Syria, and Venezuela.

https://www.newsweek.com/china-russia-iran-north-korea-more-join-forces-defense-un-1575810

It was noted that many well known geopolitical voices have yet to mention where the Russian warships ventured in the Red Sea, though thankfully some foreign YouTube sources from Indonesia covered the historic mission.

Terungkap! Ini Tujuan Kapal Perang Rusia Masuki Laut Merah saat Houthi Gencar Serang Kapal Israel

Kapal Perang Rusia 'Nongkrong' di Laut Merah, Bantu Houthi ?

And probably a crucial background, in January 26, 2023 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visted the Eritrean Massawa port to explore the logistics potential for a naval base. Were the two nations to agree with the deal, it would allow Russia to have a permanent naval base in the southern Red Sea near the Bab-el-Mandeb.

https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/87336/

For a full coverage of FM Lavrov's visit to Eritrea, see here

This shows that Eritrea has a key role in the Red Sea and the broader Multipolarity Vision that seeks to break from the current hegemony of the Western unipolar world.

We live in interesting times.

For further references

1 Official Visit of Senior Delegation Of The Russian Federation to Eritrea, 26 January 2023 - ERi-TV

2 Russia to hold joint naval exercises with East African nation envoy.

3 Hubungan 30 Tahun Rusia-Eritrea Kerjasama di bidang Maritim

3 Russia ship in Red Sea Eritrea

4 Russian frigate of the Pacific Fleet visits Eritrea

https://www.plenglish.com/news/2024/03/29/russian-frigate-of-the-pacific-fleet-visits-eritrea/

5 Russian ships enter the Red Sea. Headed for the Mediterranean?

https://www.itamilradar.com/2024/03/28/russian-ships-enter-the-red-sea-headed-for-the-mediterranean/

6 Russian Warships Show Flag at Red Sea

https://turdef.com/article/russian-warships-show-flag-at-red-sea