The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has officially announced that it will lead a large-scale international military exercise, codenamed Flintlock 2026, in the Libyan city of Sirte during the spring of next year.
In press satatements, AFRICOM confirmed that the upcoming maneuvers will be one of the most extensive multinational exercises ever held in North Africa. The event will bring together military forces from the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and several African nations, reflecting the global scope and strategic importance of the exercise.
According to AFRICOM, Flintlock 2026 aims to strengthen counterterrorism capabilities, enhance interoperability among participating forces, and improve joint readiness to address regional and transnational security threats. The drills will focus on coordinated command operations, intelligence sharing, and advanced tactical training designed to improve response to extremist threats across the Sahel and Mediterranean regions.
AFRICOM emphasized that hosting Flintlock 2026 in Libya underscores the country’s growing role in regional security efforts and the importance of its geographic position for cooperation between African and international partners. The exercise is expected to involve live training, simulated combat operations, and logistical coordination between air, land, and maritime units.
The US-led command added that the training initiative is part of a broader effort to support stability and strengthen military partnerships across Africa, in line with its mission to help regional forces develop self-sustaining defense and counterterrorism capabilities.
