Egyptian and Turkish Special Forces Conduct Joint Military Training in Ankara

Egyptian and Turkish special forces have conducted a joint military training exercise in Ankara, the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday. The drills were held from April 21 to 29 and included a wide range of advanced tactical and combat operations.

According to a statement posted on the Ministry’s official account on Platform X, the joint training involved urban combat scenarios, sniper skills, medical training, parachute jumps, and helicopter-borne operations including rope insertion and aerial assault.

The program also featured medical evacuation exercises, reconnaissance missions, and the execution of specialized operations. 

This marks the first direct bilateral training between the two countries’ special forces since the resumption of diplomatic relations, following years of political tension between Cairo and Ankara.

Despite past frictions, signs of military rapprochement had already begun to emerge. In October last year, both countries participated in the multinational air exercise “Indus Shield II” in Pakistan, where Egypt deployed three F-16 Block 52 fighter jets and Turkey deployed five of the same type. The drill, held at Mushaf Air Base, also included Saudi, Pakistani, and other international forces.