In a significant development, Turkey has organized international military exercises that brought together Libya’s divided military factions for the first time. This move signals Turkey’s commitment to asserting its influence in the region while attempting to foster stability within Libya by engaging both the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity and the Benghazi administration.
Merging Forces for Stability
The Turkish Ministry of Defense reported that 501 troops from both Libyan military factions participated under a unified banner during the Efes 2026 exercises. This collaborative effort is seen as a critical step towards creating a single, cohesive military force in Libya. Aya Burweila, an expert from the Athens-based Centre for Hellenic and Mediterranean Studies, emphasized the potential benefits of this collaboration, stating, “Joint exercises foster closer cooperation and can only positively impact the situation in Libya.”
Since 2014, Libya has been split between two rival governments: one in Tripoli and the other in Benghazi. While Turkey has historically backed the Tripoli administration, this recent military initiative indicates a strategic pivot aimed at engaging with the eastern faction. Burweila notes, “This shift could have profound implications for Libya’s stability. Turkey’s relations with both factions could be a game changer in the region.”
Energy Interests and Regional Tensions
Turkey’s outreach to the Benghazi administration, led by military commander Khalifa Haftar, is primarily driven by the desire to expand its influence in the eastern Mediterranean, according to Jalel Harchaoui, a defense analyst at the Royal United Services Institute. Ankara’s 2019 memorandum with the Tripoli administration sought to establish an exclusive economic zone, which requires Haftar’s cooperation to be effectively enforced.
Harchaoui explains that for Ankara to realize its ambitions, it must win over the Haftar family. “The Haftar family controls the parliament and the eastern coastal areas involved in this arrangement,” he says. However, the proposed exclusive economic zone has elicited strong reactions from neighboring countries like Greece and Cyprus, which assert that it infringes upon their territorial rights. Eastern Libya, allied with these nations, resists Turkey’s ambitions, further complicating an already intricate situation.
Libyan sentiments appear to align more with reluctance than enthusiasm. Burweila highlights the perspective among Libyans that the ongoing disputes between external powers do not reflect their priorities. “The consensus seems to be that this is not our fight, and there is a prevailing desire to defer these disagreements,” she points out.
A Complex Diplomatic Landscape
Over the past months, Turkey has endeavored to strengthen its ties with Haftar and his son, but measurable progress has been elusive. As analysts review Turkey’s approach, there seems to be a juxtaposition between soft and hard power. According to Harchaoui, Turkey’s recent actions have demonstrated a reassessment of its stance, especially in light of Haftar’s support for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces.
Recent reports of Turkish-made drones stationed in Egypt’s southern airbases indicate a broader strategy; these drones have reportedly been deployed in strikes within Sudan. Harchaoui notes, “Turkey has conveyed a dual message: the appeasement approach will not last indefinitely if reciprocity is lacking.”
Despite these challenges, Turkey is committed to hosting further military exercises with both Libyan factions. While it strives to stabilize Libya and foster cooperation, its ambition to secure control over a significant expanse of the eastern Mediterranean risks drawing the nation deeper into a region fraught with tensions. The involvement of external powers could shape Libya’s political future in unpredictable ways.