Syria’s Army Chief of the General Staff, Major General Ali al-Nassan, arrived in Türkiye on Wednesday accompanied by several officers and held a meeting with the Chief of Staff of the Turkish Army, Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu.

The Syrian Defense Ministry said on its Telegram channel that the visit comes as part of participation in and observation of the EFES 2026 military exercises, in which units from the Syrian Arab Army are taking part.

The Ministry said the participation falls within the framework of the Defense Minstry’s openness to external military experiences and efforts to benefit from joint training activities bringing together different armies in one location.

The exercises focus on joint operational training, the exchange of military expertise and coordination in a multi-domain combat environment designed to simulate modern warfare conditions, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

Military units participating in the exercises are carrying out field maneuvers, amphibious operations, live-fire drills and command coordination activities aimed at enhancing readiness and interoperability among participating forces.

The Syrian participation comes within the framework of military cooperation and efforts to strengthen professional training and operational capabilities through exposure to modern combat methods and joint planning mechanisms.

EFES is among Türkiye’s largest international military exercises and is organized periodically by the Turkish Armed Forces in the Aegean region with the participation of allied and partner countries from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

The current edition of the exercises includes broad international participation, with around 50 countries taking part in activities held in the Seferihisar area. The drills
feature advanced military technologies, including unmanned combat systems, drone operations and layered air defense systems. (Sources: Syrian Ministry of Defense; SANA; Photo © Syrian Ministry of Defense)