Military cooperation between forces from eastern and western Libya continues to grow, as units from both sides took part in the Turkish-led “EFES-2026” military exercises just weeks after participating together in the multinational “Flintlock 2026” drills.
According to a report published by Defense News, the joint participation reflects increasing military coordination between rival Libyan factions and signals broader efforts to reduce divisions within the country’s fragmented security structure.
The Turkish exercises represent the second major joint military activity involving eastern and western Libyan forces within a short period. Analysts view the development as an indication of gradual progress toward greater military communication and institutional coordination between the rival authorities in eastern Libya and Tripoli.
The first phase of the EFES-2026 exercises was conducted between April 11 and April 17 under the supervision of the Turkish Aegean Army Command. Activities included command-post simulations using advanced computer systems, in addition to field exercises and observer events scheduled later this month in Istanbul and Izmir.
Turkey’s Ministry of Defense described the participation of forces from both sides of Libya in a single exercise as an important step toward the vision of a unified Libya. The ministry stated that 331 personnel from eastern Libya and 177 personnel from western Libya joined the drills, alongside the deployment of the fast attack craft “Shafaq.”
Turkish officials said the exercises represent more than military cooperation, emphasizing that they are part of broader efforts to strengthen institutional cohesion among Libyan forces under the slogan “One Army, One Libya.”
The developments follow the recent “Flintlock 2026” exercises organized by the United States Africa Command in Sirte, which also included forces from eastern and western Libya. Several countries participated in the multinational drills, including the United States, Turkey, Germany, Egypt, and Tunisia.
