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CNN
17-07-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Air raid drills across Taiwan as island practices for a war with China it hopes will never come
For thirty minutes, under the punishing midday sun, Taiwan's capital Taipei rehearsed for war. Presidential alerts began blaring on cell phones at 1:30pm on Thursday across this city of more than two million people: '[Air Defense Drill] Missile attack. Seek immediate shelter.' Then came the air raid sirens, bouncing off rows of concrete apartment blocks and office towers. The shrill, ominous sound is instantly recognizable, and for anyone who's experienced the real thing, gut-churning. Police with loud whistles began shouting and ordering all traffic to pull over. Drivers had to abandon their cars at blinking traffic lights and seek shelter. Buses sat idle and empty in the middle of normally bustling streets. Civil defense volunteers in yellow vests guided people into shelters, basements, and underground malls. The MRT – Taipei's gleaming, air-conditioned subway system – kept running, though passengers were told to remain on platforms. At ground level, the city emptied. Businesses closed their doors as customers and employees watched the streets empty in seconds. It almost felt like you'd traveled back in time to the worst days of the coronavirus pandemic. The reason for this annual drill is the unspoken but ever-present threat of an attack or invasion by Taiwan's giant neighbor to the north. China's Communist Party claims Taiwan as its own territory, to be taken by force if necessary. While democratic Taiwan has long been used to those threats, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the increasingly shrill rhetoric from Chinese leader Xi Jinping and conflict in the Middle East have thrown into sharp relief what could be at stake if peace falters. 'I feel nervous when I hear the siren. While China has been there all along, when the sirens go off, it reminds me of that large threat next to us,' said Carl Chu, a Taipei resident. 'War could happen anytime. We need to shoulder our own responsibility, be prepared and know how to protect ourselves.' Jessica Fang, another Taipei resident, added: 'Many used to view these drills as a mundane routine. But because of what happened in Ukraine and Israel, this year it feels closer to home. War could happen whether you want it or not, so you have to be prepared for that possibility. These drills make us take it more seriously.' For the first time this year, Taiwan combined its two major civil defense exercises, Wan An and Min An, into a single, island-wide rehearsal: the 2025 Urban Resilience Exercise, staged in conjunction with Han Kuang 41, the country's largest-ever military simulation. This year's drills are ten days, twice as long as before. The timing is no accident. Tensions with Beijing remain high. While polls suggest most Taiwanese don't believe an invasion is imminent, the government is preparing with focus and urgency. Beyond sirens and evacuations, the drill included mass casualty simulations and emergency supply drops. In Neihu, outside the Tri-Service General Hospital, the military staged a live response to an imagined missile strike. Medics in full protective gear treated mock victims as nearby roads were sealed off. Across Taiwan, more than 22,000 reservists, nearly 50 percent more than last year, are involved in scenarios ranging from urban combat to cyber defense. In recent days, soldiers have conducted drills in subway tunnels and exhibition halls, converting civilian infrastructure into test battlegrounds. The Ministry of Defense has emphasized both military readiness and public engagement, including new outreach to foreigners in Taiwan with instructions in English explaining what to do and where to go. The government is also urging citizens to download shelter maps, learn evacuation routes, and recognize the distinct siren tones. When the all-clear sirens finally sounded, Taipei quickly bounced back to normal. Within seconds, traffic and pedestrians returned to the streets as folks carried on with their days and tried to beat the summer heat and humidity. Most believe the next time they hear sirens, it'll be another drill. But these days, nobody can be sure.
CNN
17-07-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Air raid drills across Taiwan as island practices for a war with China it hopes will never come
For thirty minutes, under the punishing midday sun, Taiwan's capital Taipei rehearsed for war. Presidential alerts began blaring on cell phones at 1:30pm on Thursday across this city of more than two million people: '[Air Defense Drill] Missile attack. Seek immediate shelter.' Then came the air raid sirens, bouncing off rows of concrete apartment blocks and office towers. The shrill, ominous sound is instantly recognizable, and for anyone who's experienced the real thing, gut-churning. Police with loud whistles began shouting and ordering all traffic to pull over. Drivers had to abandon their cars at blinking traffic lights and seek shelter. Buses sat idle and empty in the middle of normally bustling streets. Civil defense volunteers in yellow vests guided people into shelters, basements, and underground malls. The MRT – Taipei's gleaming, air-conditioned subway system – kept running, though passengers were told to remain on platforms. At ground level, the city emptied. Businesses closed their doors as customers and employees watched the streets empty in seconds. It almost felt like you'd traveled back in time to the worst days of the coronavirus pandemic. The reason for this annual drill is the unspoken but ever-present threat of an attack or invasion by Taiwan's giant neighbor to the north. China's Communist Party claims Taiwan as its own territory, to be taken by force if necessary. While democratic Taiwan has long been used to those threats, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the increasingly shrill rhetoric from Chinese leader Xi Jinping and conflict in the Middle East have thrown into sharp relief what could be at stake if peace falters. 'I feel nervous when I hear the siren. While China has been there all along, when the sirens go off, it reminds me of that large threat next to us,' said Carl Chu, a Taipei resident. 'War could happen anytime. We need to shoulder our own responsibility, be prepared and know how to protect ourselves.' Jessica Fang, another Taipei resident, added: 'Many used to view these drills as a mundane routine. But because of what happened in Ukraine and Israel, this year it feels closer to home. War could happen whether you want it or not, so you have to be prepared for that possibility. These drills make us take it more seriously.' For the first time this year, Taiwan combined its two major civil defense exercises, Wan An and Min An, into a single, island-wide rehearsal: the 2025 Urban Resilience Exercise, staged in conjunction with Han Kuang 41, the country's largest-ever military simulation. This year's drills are ten days, twice as long as before. The timing is no accident. Tensions with Beijing remain high. While polls suggest most Taiwanese don't believe an invasion is imminent, the government is preparing with focus and urgency. Beyond sirens and evacuations, the drill included mass casualty simulations and emergency supply drops. In Neihu, outside the Tri-Service General Hospital, the military staged a live response to an imagined missile strike. Medics in full protective gear treated mock victims as nearby roads were sealed off. Across Taiwan, more than 22,000 reservists, nearly 50 percent more than last year, are involved in scenarios ranging from urban combat to cyber defense. In recent days, soldiers have conducted drills in subway tunnels and exhibition halls, converting civilian infrastructure into test battlegrounds. The Ministry of Defense has emphasized both military readiness and public engagement, including new outreach to foreigners in Taiwan with instructions in English explaining what to do and where to go. The government is also urging citizens to download shelter maps, learn evacuation routes, and recognize the distinct siren tones. When the all-clear sirens finally sounded, Taipei quickly bounced back to normal. Within seconds, traffic and pedestrians returned to the streets as folks carried on with their days and tried to beat the summer heat and humidity. Most believe the next time they hear sirens, it'll be another drill. But these days, nobody can be sure.
Sky News
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
India-Pakistan live: India made 'mistake' by launching strikes, Pakistan's PM warns; Trump reacts to crisis
Erdogan shares support with Pakistani PM on call Turkish President Recip Tayyip Erdogan has spoken with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on a call to convey his solidarity after India hit Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir with missiles. During the call, Erdogan told Sharif that Turkey supported what he called Pakistan's "calm and restrained policies" in the crisis, his office said in a statement. Erdogan also said he found "appropriate" Islamabad's call for an investigation into the attack on 22 April that killed 26 people in Indian-controlled Kashmir. India has blamed Pakistan for backing the terror attack but Pakistan has denied any connection to the atrocity, which was claimed by a militant group called the Kashmir Resistance. "Erdogan stated that Turkey was ready to do what it can to prevent the tensions from escalating, and that his diplomatic contacts in that regard would continue," the Turkish president's office said. Flights cancelled after missiles hit Pakistan With tensions rising between India and Pakistan, airlines have been re-routing or cancelling flights to both countries. In Lahore Airport, Pakistan, crowds of people were left stranded after flights were cancelled. Speaking to Sky News, Lahore resident Tamna said she was "worried" and "wanted peace". 'I want to see it stop': Trump offers to help end India-Pakistan conflict Donald Trump has briefly spoken about what is taking place between Indian and Pakistan this evening. Answering questions at a swearing-in ceremony for the new ambassador to China, David Perdue, the US leader called the situation "terrible". "It's so terrible. My position is I know both and get along with both - I want to see it stop," he said. "If I can do anything to help, I will be there." In a slight detour, he then added: "By the way, unrelated, Rwanda and the Congo - we've made a lot of progress in getting that disaster stopped." Pakistan 'rejects baseless Indian claims' Pakistan's deputy prime minister has "rejected" India's claim that it was targeting terrorist infrastructure in his country. In a briefing with ministers, Mohammad Ishaq Dar said today India's actions were "carried out in blatant violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the norms governing the inter-state relations". He also said he "rejected the baseless Indian claims of targeting terrorist infrastructure" and said that there was "no credible evidence" linking Pakistan with the terrorist attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir on 22 April. Dar also claimed the "Indian leadership had once again used the bogey of terrorism to promote a fictitious narrative of victimhood". He added that "India did not pay heed to the international community's repeated calls for de-escalation and exercise of restraint". India has said its strikes were in retaliation for an attack on 22 April, in which at least 26 people were shot dead by gunmen at a beauty spot near the resort town of Pahalgam in the India-administered part of Kashmir. India has described the massacre as a "terror attack" and said it had "cross-border" links, blaming Pakistan for backing it. Explained: The India-Pakistan conflict India has launched missile strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan administered Kashmir in retaliation for a terror attack last month that India accused its neighbour of backing - which Islamabad denies. But the friction between the nuclear-armed countries isn't new. On this episode of the Sky News Daily, host Niall Paterson dissects how the world might respond to yet more tension in the region and asks why the conflict is centred around Kashmir with our defence and security analyst Michael Clarke. India 'selected way of aggression' and 'made mistake' with strikes, Pakistani PM says Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif says yesterday night India showed "aggression" and "made a mistake". "This is a nation of courageous people who have high aims. They respect their country and protect their country. They will fight until the last drop of their blood," he says. Sharif says 26 innocent people were killed yesterday. "We will promise that every drop of their blood that has been shed will be made accountable," he says. "This is that coward enemy that will always attack innocent people and then they will think they are brave. Last night we proved Pakistan will give an answer." The Pakistani leader says his country has shown "how courageous it is as a nation". "The Indian attack is without any basis. We are a peaceful country and Pakistan condemns this," he adds. He says India has "selected the way of aggression". "There has been a lot of terrorism and the country that has been most affected is Pakistan," Sharif says. "We have set up a lot of things against terrorism." He says it is "Indian speculation" that "this mission is about "eradicating terrorism". The Pakistani leader also says the people of Pakistan are prepared to "go with the army" and "go in front of the enemy". Pakistani PM giving news conference Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is giving a news conference after India launched strikes on the country and Pakistani-controlled parts of Kashmir overnight. You can watch it all via the live stream at the top of this page. India-Pakistan tensions 'very concerning', Kallas says Heightened India-Pakistan tensions are "very concerning", the EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said today. Speaking in a meeting in Poland's capital Warsaw, Kallas said "it is clear that this war is not good for anybody". "It is very concerning what is happening there, so it is clear that this war is not good for anybody, so we are trying to mediate and bring the tensions down," she said. "Of course, I condemn terrorism in any shape or form, that is also very clear, but we need to see how we can go from here to bring the tensions down." Foreign Office issues advice to Britons travelling to India The UK's Foreign Office has advised Britons against all travel within 10km of the India-Pakistan border. It has warned against travelling to the region of Jammu and Kashmir - including Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, the city of Srinagar and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway. Manipur, in northeastern India, should also be avoided. Today the aviation advisory body OPSGROUP said: "If the conflict continues, there is a chance that Pakistan could impose a full airspace closure, as they did from February to August 2019 under similar circumstances." Analysis: Why did India strike inside Pakistan? As we have been reporting today, India launched a missile attack on Pakistan and the territory Islamabad administers in Kashmir, killing at least 26 civilians. India's strikes were in retaliation for an attack on 22 April, in which at least 26 people, most of whom were Indian tourists, were shot dead by gunmen at a beauty spot near the resort town of Pahalgam, in the India-administered part of Kashmir. Why India struck inside Pakistan? Our military analyst Michael Clarke says "we knew the Indians would respond in some way" after the 22 April attack. He adds India wants to "up the ante a little bit to show that they take those attacks very seriously". He says it sounds like "playground politics". "The grown up version of that playground politics is that both sides are trying to re-establish deterrence," he says, but adds "deterrence is incredibly perceptual". "Deterrence is what the other side feels deterred by," he says. "If they think that the threshold is higher than it really is, then they can make big mistakes. And whether the Pakistanis have got it right, when they respond as they say they will in the next few days, we'll find out probably sooner rather than later." You can watch Clarke's analysis here...
