### USS Abraham Lincoln Departs Malaysia Amid Increasing Military Activities in South China Sea

The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) left Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, heading towards the South China Sea. The ship had been docked at the Port Klang Cruise Terminal for a four-day liberty call after conducting operations in the Central Command area. This marks the carrier's first visit to Malaysia since 2013 when the terminal's former owner, Leonard "Fat Leonard" Francis, was arrested.

In concurrent developments, a Russian Navy surface action group, consisting of corvettes RFS Gromkiy (335), RFS Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov (339), RFS Rezkiy (343), and the fleet oiler Pechenga, has returned to the South China Sea. The group had previously completed port visits to Thailand and Malaysia. Additionally, the Russian submarine RFS Ufa (B-588), along with the rescue tug Alatau, departed the Kota Kinabalu Naval Base and is heading to the Russian Pacific Fleet's submarine base at Kamchatka.

Meanwhile, the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer JS Samidare (DD-106) departed from the Port Klang Cruise Terminal on the same day as the Abraham Lincoln. The destroyer had arrived in Malaysia on Sunday following joint drills with the Royal Malaysian Navy. JS Samidare is currently on a homeward journey after an anti-piracy deployment in the Gulf of Aden.

The USS Abraham Lincoln has now entered the South China Sea, accompanied by its escorts USS Spruance (DDG-111) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112), which had been docked in Phuket, Thailand, and USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121), docked in Sembawang, Singapore. All three destroyers wrapped up their port visits on Wednesday as per a U.S. Navy announcement.

In another significant move, a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft conducted a transit through the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, marking the third such transit this year. Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense confirmed the aircraft flew from south to north while maintaining control over the surrounding sea and airspace. However, the transit drew sharp criticism from China's PLA Eastern Theatre Command, labeling the maneuver as provocative.

Additionally, Japan’s Joint Staff Office reported the tracking of several People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships near Japanese waters. PLAN destroyer CNS Xi'an (153) was monitored sailing southeast near Miyako Island into the Philippine Sea. Frigate CNS Zaozhuang (542) was observed heading northeast near Tsushima Island into the Sea of Japan. Another frigate, CNS Yiyang (548), was sighted moving southwest near Kume Island before entering the Philippine Sea.

This series of naval movements underscores the escalating military activity in the region, involving forces from the United States, Russia, China, and Japan. The developments reflect the increasing strategic importance of the South China Sea and surrounding territories amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.