IZMIR — A New Chapter in Regional Military Dynamics
In an event emphasizing Turkey’s escalating role in regional military affairs, both Libya and Syria have dispatched troops to participate in Turkey’s EFES-2026 Combined Joint Live-Fire Field Exercise. This marks the first instance of military forces from either nation taking part in an exercise on foreign terrain.
The EFES-2026 exercise, which included a live-fire segment, was conducted near İzmir on the Aegean coast until May 21. It stands as one of the largest combined and joint military drills Turkey has organized so far. The exercise was overseen by the Aegean Army Command and consisted of two main segments: a computer-assisted command post exercise in April followed by the live-fire field training. The event brought together more than 10,000 participants from 50 countries, utilizing the İzmir Gulf and Doğanbey training areas.
The involvement of Libyan forces is particularly noteworthy. The exercise saw the participation of 502 Libyan soldiers—331 from the eastern part of Libya and 171 from the western regions—training together under a unified Libyan flag. This is the first time the rival Libyan factions have collaborated in an international deployment.
Turkish defense authorities have lauded this development as a significant move towards achieving the vision of “One Libya, One Army.” The training for Libyan troops included amphibious operations, special forces strategies, combat diving, and awareness of mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as well as combat search and rescue operations.
In addition to the army, the Libyan naval segment was represented by the Combattante II G class patrol boat Shafak which took part in the naval exercises.
The Syrian military’s involvement, though smaller in scale with about 50 personnel, is notably significant from a diplomatic perspective. This participation marks the debut of Syria’s reformed army in an overseas military exercise.
The presence of both nations at the EFES-2026 exercise is framed by Ankara as a key component of its military restructuring and advisory endeavors within these countries. Turkish officials have indicated that their training and advisory relationships with Libya and Syria are set to continue and evolve further in the future.
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Jamal Peterson reports on defense, aerospace, and tech policy. With a military background and a strategic mind, he dissects complex subjects with clarity, offering readers sharp, reliable insights.
