In two developments that highlight Ankara’s expanding role as a regional military power, both Libya and Syria have sent troops to participate in Turkey’s EFES-2026 Combined Joint Live-Fire Field Exercise — marking the first occasion either nation has joined a military drill outside its own territory.
The live-fire segment of EFES-2026 continued through May 21 along Turkey’s Aegean coastline near İzmir, becoming one of the country’s largest joint military exercises to date. Organized under the Aegean Army Command, the operation was conducted in two stages: a computer-assisted command post exercise in April followed by the live-fire phase. More than 10,000 personnel from 50 countries took part across the İzmir Gulf and Doğanbey training areas.
Libya’s involvement was especially significant symbolically. The country contributed 502 personnel, including 331 troops from eastern Libya and 171 from western factions, all operating together under a unified Libyan flag. It marked the first overseas deployment involving both rival groups side by side.
Turkish defense authorities presented the participation as a practical step toward Ankara’s long-promoted vision of “One Libya, One Army.” During the exercise, Libyan troops underwent instruction in amphibious warfare, special operations techniques, combat diving, mine and improvised explosive device awareness, as well as combat search-and-rescue procedures.
In addition to ground forces, Libya also deployed the Combattante II G-class patrol vessel Shafak for the naval component of the drills.
Syria’s contribution was smaller in scale but carried notable diplomatic significance. Around 50 Syrian military personnel joined the exercise, representing the first foreign deployment by Syria’s newly reorganized armed forces.
Turkish officials described the participation of both countries as part of Ankara’s wider military advisory and restructuring initiatives in Libya and Syria, adding that defense cooperation, training, and advisory efforts with both states are expected to deepen further.
