Turkey and Turkish Cypriot authorities conduct joint search and rescue drill

Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot authorities held the 'Lieutenant Caner Gionelli 2026' search and rescue exercise between June 22 and 26, 2026. The land phase of the drill took place in occupied Kyrenia, while the naval phase was conducted off the coast of Famagusta. Official reports state the operation occurred within what is described by the organizers as the 'Turkish search and rescue zone,' a claim disputed by the Republic of Cyprus. The exercise simulated scenarios involving a collision between a migrant-carrying cargo ship and a yacht, as well as a collision between a fuel tanker and a cargo vessel. Observers from Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Libya, Gambia, Zambia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Somalia attended the event. High-ranking officials present included Turkish Cypriot leader Unal Ustel and representatives from the Turkish Ministry of Interior and Coast Guard. The Republic of Cyprus officially characterizes these military activities as illegal.