CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The People’s Liberation Army Support Base in Djibouti is a military base operated by China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), located in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. It is the PLAN’s first overseas military base and was built at a cost of US$590 million.

Detailed explanation-2: -Djibouti is strategically located by the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which separates the Gulf of Aden from the Red Sea and controls the approaches to the Suez Canal. As a result, the country hosts many other foreign military bases, including a Chinese naval base, a French airbase, an Italian Support Base and a Japanese base.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Bab-el-Mandab overlooks the entrance to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Not far away, two other gulfs, that of Oman and its Arab-Persian counterpart, linked by another strait, Hormuz. This geographical advantage explains why so many international powers have installed military bases in Djibouti.

Detailed explanation-4: -It maintains special forces for training and for combating piracy around the Horn of Africa. Two Engins de Débarquement Amphibie – Standards (EDA-S) landing craft are to be delivered to naval forces based in Djibouti by 2025. The landing craft are to better support operations in the region.

Detailed explanation-5: -The Chinese are activity seeking a military naval base in Africa on the Atlantic coast, which would threaten U.S. national security, Army Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commander of U.S. Africa Command said.