A new contingent of forces from the General Command departed on Saturday for Turkey to participate in the international field exercise “EFES 2026,” which is being held in the Turkish city of Izmir.

This contingent includes units from the Special Forces—the Commando and Parachute Forces—to participate in the international tactical exercise, as part of efforts to strengthen international coordination, enhance combat readiness, and exchange expertise, thereby contributing to regional security and stability, according to a statement published on the Commando and Parachute Forces’ Facebook page.

On April 27, the vanguard of the General Command forces arrived in the Turkish city of Izmir aboard a Turkish Air Force aircraft, according to a statement by the Turkish Ministry of Defense on its Facebook page.

Participation of forces affiliated with the Government of National Unity

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.

The “EFES 2026” exercise is held every two years with the participation of many countries 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 personnel.

The 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.