Forces affiliated with the General Command arrived in Turkey on Monday to participate in the international military exercise “EFES 2026,” which is being held in the Turkish city of Izmir, according to a statement by the Turkish Ministry of Defense posted on its Facebook page. The statement added that the vanguard of the General Command forces departed Benghazi aboard a Turkish Air Force aircraft and arrived in the country, with Libyan personnel continuing to arrive in the coming days.

On April 21, the vanguard of the force affiliated with the General Staff of the Government of National Unity arrived at the designated camp in the Turkish city of Izmir to participate in the exercise.

“EFES 2026” Exercise

The exercise is held every two years and aims to strengthen joint military cooperation, exchange expertise, and learn about the latest training and operational methods, thereby contributing to enhancing the efficiency and readiness of participants.

It is worth noting that the “EFES 2026” exercise is considered one of the largest joint military exercises of the Turkish Armed Forces, involving the air, naval, and ground forces, with a focus on amphibious landings, air strikes, and joint fire support. It also tests the effectiveness of command and control systems and joint operational planning, and serves as a platform to improve coordination among forces in various combat scenarios.

The exercises also include landing, assault, and ground troop advances, as well as reconnaissance, surveillance, and air and naval support. Live-fire phases allow for the simulation of high-intensity combat and the testing of actual readiness.