The Indonesian and Australian militaries are holding joint combat drills off Indonesia’s main island of Java with about 2,000 troops training in air, maritime, amphibious and land operations.

Indonesia has held military exercises with other countries, including Russia, and recently engaged in a confrontation with China.

Several international airlines canceled flights to and from Indonesia’s tourist island of Bali on Wednesday as an ongoing volcanic eruption left travelers stranded at airports. Tourists told The Associated Press that they have been stuck at Bali’s airport since Tuesday after their flights were suddenly canceled.

(Reuters) - Virgin Australia cancelled all flights in and out of Bali, Indonesia, on Wednesday as volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Lewotobi made flying unsafe, the carrier said. Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted at least three times last Saturday, discharging a volcanic ash column that was 9 km (5.6 miles) high.

Ongoing eruptions at Indonesia's Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki volcano have caused ash clouds, creating a potentially dangerous situation for air travellers.