Türkiye, Egypt to conduct first joint naval drills in 13 years

Türkiye and Egypt will hold joint naval exercises for the first time in 13 years, as bilateral ties continue to improve, the Turkish Defence Ministry announced on September 18.

The manoeuvres, named Friendship Sea, are scheduled to take place in the eastern Mediterranean on September 22-26, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Participating Turkish forces will include frigates, fast attack vessels, a submarine, and F-16 fighter jets, while Egyptian naval units will also take part, the ministry said.

The top commanders of both navies are expected to attend a high-level observer day on September 25, highlighting the significance of the exercises following more than a decade of strained relations.

Relations between Ankara and Cairo deteriorated a decade ago after Egypt’s 2023 military coup ousted President Mohammed Morsi, a leader of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood.

The Brotherhood was subsequently banned in Egypt as a terrorist organisation, further souring ties with Türkiye, a longtime supporter of the group. Differences over Libya and the eastern Mediterranean also contributed to tensions between the two countries.

In 2023, Türkiye and Egypt agreed to restore diplomatic relations and reappoint ambassadors. Since then, several official visits between leaders and government officials have taken place, reflecting the ongoing thaw in relations.

Both nations have also coordinated a firm stance against Israel’s military operations in Gaza, working together to push for a ceasefire.

By Tamilla Hasanova