Turkey concludes massive combined, joint exercise-Xinhua

Türkiye’s TCG Anadolu amphibious assault ship, corvettes and attack helicopters take part in the final event of the EFES-2026 exercise in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Izmir, Turkey, May 21, 2026. Türkiye concluded the EFES-2026 exercise, one of the country’s largest combined and joint exercises, in the city on Thursday from Izmir, in the southwest of the country, involving forces from certain foreign partners. (Mustafa Kaya/handout via Xinhua)

ANKARA, May 21 (Xinhua) — Turkey on Thursday concluded the EFES-2026 exercise, one of the country’s largest combined and joint exercises, in the southwestern city of Izmir, involving the forces of some foreign partners.

A total of 10,388 people participated, including 1,398 guests from 50 countries, according to local media.

On the last day of the exercise, as part of the scenario, a TB-3 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) took off from the TCG Anadolu, an amphibious assault ship of the Turkish Navy. Two corvettes TCG Kinaliada and TCG Heybeliada fired their 76mm naval guns during the exercise.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler and Chief of Staff Selcuk Bayraktaroglu observed the final events of the exercise, which took place at the Doganbey shooting range in Seferihisar district of Izmir.

At the closing ceremony, Erdogan said his country was determined to position itself as a key player in regional peace amid growing instability.

The Turkish president stressed that the world is going through a period in which security paradigms are changing, international law is losing its scope and credibility and new security architectures are needed.

“As Türkiye, we will continue to defend peace and stability against those who invest in war and chaos,” he said. ■

Military personnel participate in amphibious landing exercises by assault boats during the final event of the EFES-2026 exercise in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Izmir, Turkey, May 21, 2026. Türkiye concluded the EFES-2026 exercise, one of the country’s largest combined and joint exercises, on Thursday in the southwestern city of Izmir. countries, involving the forces of certain foreign partners. (Mustafa Kaya/handout via Xinhua)

Türkiye’s TCG Anadolu amphibious assault ship and attack helicopters take part in the final event of the EFES-2026 exercise in the Aegean Sea, off the coast of Izmir, Türkiye, May 21, 2026. Türkiye concluded the EFES-2026 exercise, one of the country’s largest combined and joint exercises, on Thursday in the city of Izmir, in the southwest of the country, involving forces from certain foreign partners. (Mustafa Kaya/handout via Xinhua)

Military personnel, under the cover of tanks, take part in the final event of the EFES-2026 exercise in Izmir, Turkey, May 21, 2026. Turkey concluded the EFES-2026 exercise, one of the country’s largest combined and joint exercises, on Thursday in the southwestern city of Izmir, involving the forces of some foreign partners. (Mustafa Kaya/handout via Xinhua)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan observes the final event of the EFES-2026 exercise in Izmir, Türkiye, May 21, 2026. Türkiye on Thursday concluded the EFES-2026 exercise, one of the country’s largest combined and joint exercises, in the southwestern city of Izmir, involving the forces of some foreign partners. (Mustafa Kaya/handout via Xinhua)

Military personnel participate in amphibious landing exercises by assault boats during the final event of the EFES-2026 exercise in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Izmir, Turkey, May 21, 2026. Türkiye concluded the EFES-2026 exercise, one of the country’s largest combined and joint exercises, on Thursday in the southwestern city of Izmir. countries, involving the forces of certain foreign partners. (Mustafa Kaya/handout via Xinhua)