Libya and Syria Join Turkey’s EFES-2026 Military Exercise in Historic First
Turkey hosted the EFES-2026 Combined Joint Live-Fire Field Exercise near İzmir, involving over 10,000 personnel from 50 nations. For the first time, Libya deployed 502 troops from rival eastern and western factions together under a single flag, advancing Ankara’s “One Libya, One Army” goal. Syria sent about 50 personnel, marking its newly reconstituted army’s first foreign exercise. Turkey framed the participation as part of its military-restructuring and advisory programs, with plans to expand cooperation.
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Libya and Syria Join Turkey's EFES-2026 Military Exercise in Historic First
In a significant milestone for Turkey's regional military ambitions, Libya and Syria participated in Turkey's EFES-2026 Combined Joint Live-Fire Field Exercise for the first time. The exercise, held near İzmir along the Aegean coast, involved over 10,000 personnel from 50 nations. Notably, 502 Libyan troops from both the eastern and western rival factions trained together under a single Libyan flag, marking the first joint foreign deployment of the two groups. This aligns with Ankara's 'One Libya, One Army' goal. Syria contributed approximately 50 personnel, marking the newly reconstituted Syrian army's first exercise abroad. Turkey framed both nations' participation as part of its broader military-restructuring and advisory programs, with plans to continue and expand such cooperation.
Defense NewsLibya and Syria Join Turkey's EFES-2026 Military Exercise in Historic Firsts
In a significant milestone for Turkey's regional military ambitions, Libya and Syria participated in Turkey's EFES-2026 Combined Joint Live-Fire Field Exercise for the first time. The exercise, held near İzmir along the Aegean coast, involved over 10,000 personnel from 50 nations. Libya deployed 502 troops from both its eastern and western rival factions, marking the first time they have jointly deployed abroad under a single Libyan flag, supporting Ankara's 'One Libya, One Army' goal. Syria contributed approximately 50 personnel, representing the newly reconstituted Syrian army's first-ever exercise outside its territory. Ankara framed both nations' attendance as part of its broader military-restructuring and advisory programs, with training covering amphibious operations, special forces tactics, and combat search and rescue. The Libyan patrol craft Shafak also participated in the naval phase.
Defense NewsLibya and Syria Join Turkey's EFES-2026 Military Exercise in Historic Firsts
In a significant milestone for Turkey's regional military ambitions, Libya and Syria participated in Turkey's EFES-2026 Combined Joint Live-Fire Field Exercise for the first time. The exercise, held near İzmir along the Aegean coast, involved over 10,000 personnel from 50 nations. Libya deployed 502 troops from both its eastern and western rival factions, marking the first time they have jointly operated abroad under a single Libyan flag, supporting Ankara's 'One Libya, One Army' goal. Syria contributed approximately 50 personnel, representing the newly reconstituted Syrian army's first exercise outside its territory. Turkish officials framed both nations' attendance as part of broader military-restructuring and advisory programs, with training and cooperation expected to continue and expand.
Defense NewsLibya and Syria Join Turkey's EFES-2026 Military Exercise in Historic First
In a significant milestone for Turkey's regional military ambitions, Libya and Syria participated in Turkey's EFES-2026 Combined Joint Live-Fire Field Exercise for the first time. The exercise, held near İzmir along the Aegean coast, involved over 10,000 personnel from 50 nations. Notably, 502 Libyan troops from both eastern and western rival factions trained together under a single Libyan flag, marking the first joint foreign deployment of the two groups. This aligns with Ankara's 'One Libya, One Army' goal. Syria contributed approximately 50 personnel, marking the newly reconstituted Syrian army's first exercise abroad. Turkey framed both nations' participation as part of its broader military-restructuring and advisory programs, with plans to continue and expand such cooperation.
Defense NewsLibya and Syria Join Turkey's EFES-2026 Military Exercise in Historic First
In a significant milestone for Turkey's regional military ambitions, Libya and Syria participated in Turkey's EFES-2026 Combined Joint Live-Fire Field Exercise for the first time. The exercise, held near İzmir along the Aegean coast, involved over 10,000 personnel from 50 nations. Notably, 502 Libyan troops from both eastern and western rival factions trained together under a single Libyan flag, marking the first joint deployment abroad and advancing Ankara's 'One Libya, One Army' goal. Syria contributed approximately 50 personnel in its first-ever military exercise on foreign soil. Turkey framed both nations' participation as part of its broader military-restructuring and advisory programs, with officials pledging continued and expanded cooperation.
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