International military and humanitarian exercises Argonaut-2026 conclude in Cyprus

The Argonaut-2026 exercises took place in Cyprus between May 11 and 15, focusing on humanitarian aid and civil-military cooperation. While some reports mention 31 participating countries, others specify 29 countries and two international organizations, along with 140 observers. The drills involved 850 personnel and 28 naval and air assets from nations including Egypt, France, Greece, the UK, the US, Spain, Israel, and Italy. Led by the Cyprus National Guard General Staff and various ministries, the exercises tested the Estia national evacuation plan. The scenarios included the evacuation of civilians from conflict zones and search-and-rescue operations following simulated maritime and aviation disasters. These maneuvers were conducted across sea, air, and land to evaluate governmental response capabilities to mass influxes of people and emergency situations.