Syrian Chief of General Staff Maj. Gen. Ali al-Naasan arrived in Turkey on Wednesday, May 20, accompanied by several officers, where he met his Turkish counterpart, Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, as Syrian army units took part in the “EFES 2026” military drills held in Turkey’s Izmir province.

The Syrian Ministry of Defense said the visit by the Syrian military delegation came to attend and follow the activities of the “EFES 2026” drills, in which groups from the Syrian army are participating as part of international military activities that include forces from dozens of countries.

Opening Up to Foreign Military Experience

According to Syria’s official SANA news agency, the Syrian army’s participation in the drills falls within “the Ministry of Defense’s openness to foreign military experiences,” and aims to benefit from joint training activities that bring together different armies in one place. This allows direct exposure to methods of training, organization, and coordination among forces, as well as models of weapons, equipment, and expertise that are not available locally.

The “EFES 2026” drills are a broad military event that includes land, naval, and air forces from a large number of countries. They focus on joint training, exchanging expertise, and learning about modern patterns of military work within a multi-disciplinary operational environment.

SANA published photos it said showed the army’s participation in the drills held inside Turkish territory, which include field training with military units from several countries.

Drills With Dozens of Countries

The “EFES 2026” drills began in Izmir province on April 16, with the participation of 52 countries, and are scheduled to conclude today, according to Turkish state media. The drills are organized once every two years.

For its part, Turkey’s Anadolu Agency said the drills began with the participation of more than 10,000 military personnel from 50 countries and continue until today, May 21. It noted that they highlight “the high operational capabilities of the Turkish Armed Forces,” their ability to adapt to modern warfare environments, and the effectiveness of using advanced technology.

The agency added that the “EFES” drills are not considered merely a military training activity, but are also seen as “important evidence of Turkey’s security approach, which prioritizes peace, stability, and international cooperation.”

First Syrian Participation Abroad

During the weekly press conference by Turkish Ministry of Defense spokesperson Zeki Aktürk, the ministry addressed Syrian participation in the drills and said the Syrian army is taking part in “EFES 2026” with a core unit, “as part of efforts to support the reconstruction process in Syria,” according to its wording.

Aktürk added that Turkish training support for the Syrian army will continue, noting that the Syrian army’s participation in these drills is “the first outside Syrian territory.”

The Turkish Ministry of Defense spokesperson explained details of the ongoing training within the drills, saying the Turkish Armed Forces continue to carry out continuous training to “raise the level of operational interoperability with friendly and allied countries, improve coordination capabilities, and contribute to regional security.”

He said the drills are implemented in two stages, the first being the command post phase with the assistance of computer systems, and the second involving live-fire training. The drills are taking place in both Izmir Bay and the Doğanbey firing range, under the command and control of the Aegean Army Command, with the participation of personnel from friendly and allied countries.

Turkish Emphasis on Supporting Syria

Syrian participation in the Turkish military drills comes as the Turkish Ministry of Defense repeatedly affirms its continued support for Syria, saying the security of the two countries is “interlinked and inseparable,” according to previous statements by Turkish officials.

The Turkish ministry has also repeatedly affirmed that it will provide support to Syria in its war against “terrorist organizations” if Damascus requests it, within the framework of security and military cooperation between the two sides.

The “EFES” drills are among the most prominent military events organized by the Turkish Armed Forces. They feature land, naval, and air forces, alongside training on joint coordination and multi-domain operations, with broad participation from various countries.