LONDON: Egypt and Turkiye will conduct joint naval drills in the eastern Mediterranean next week. This is the first time in 13 years the Friendship Sea exercises have been staged.
The Turkish Defense Ministry announced that joint maritime exercises with Egypt will be held from Sept. 22 to 26, to develop ties and collaboration between the two regional powers.
Turkiye is participating with frigates, fast attack boats, a submarine and two F-16 fighter jets, alongside Egyptian naval units. The top commanders of the Egyptian and Turkish navies are expected to attend a high-level observer day on Sept. 25. Egypt’s Tahya Misr and Fouad Zekry frigates will visit the Turkish Aksaz Naval Base on the south-east coast of the Aegean Sea as part of the maritime maneuvers.
Friendship Sea began in 2009 and continued annually until 2013, when diplomatic relations strained over policies concerning Libya and the ousting of Mohammed Morsi as president, the Muslim Brotherhood affiliate supported by Turkiye.
In 2023, the two countries began repairing links and reappointed ambassadors. This was followed by state visits in 2024 by the two countries’ presidents.
The navy drills are taking place during heightened military tensions in the Middle East. Both countries have condemned the Israeli airstrikes on the Qatari capital this month and are firm in their support for Palestinian statehood, opposing Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
