Akdeniz Fırtınası-2026 Exercise Held in Northern Cyprus with Turkish Forces

The Şehit Yüzbaşı Cengiz Topel Akdeniz Fırtınası-2026 exercise was successfully completed in all its phases in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Land, air and naval units of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), along with TRNC Security Forces and Special Forces Command units, took part. The drills were held in Sadrazamköy, Beyköy and Sarıbaşaklar in Kyrenia (Girne).

The exercise aimed to test joint operational capability in the air, on land and at sea in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkish F-16 fighter jets, T129 ATAK helicopters and frigates were used, along with domestically produced HİSAR-O and KORKUT air defence systems. Roketsan's L-UMTAS and Cirit missiles were also deployed. Paratroopers jumped from 3,000 metres carrying Turkish and TRNC flags.

The exercise was attended by TRNC Assembly Speaker Ziya Öztürkler, Prime Minister Ünal Üstel and Turkish Ambassador to Lefkoşa Ali Murat Başçeri. Öztürkler said that while the Greek Cypriot administration had signed military agreements with various countries, “our main homeland, the Republic of Türkiye, is here,” and described the Turkish military as one of the strongest in the world.