Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on Wednesday successfully completed the maritime phase of the Martyr Ensign Caner Gönyeli 2026 Search and Rescue Invitation Exercise, concluding a joint drill aimed at strengthening operational coordination and emergency response capabilities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The exercise began as the command vessel TCSG Yaşam departed the Port of Gazimağusa before proceeding to the designated exercise area, where participating military and civilian units carried out a series of search and rescue scenarios at sea.
The maritime phase was observed by TRNC Prime Minister Ünal Üstel, Deputy Interior Minister Kübra Güran Yiğitbaşı, Coast Guard Commander Vice Adm. Ahmet Kendir, and TRNC Security Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Ilker Görgülü, as well as domestic and international observers.
The exercise formed part of the annual joint training program between Türkiye and the TRNC, which has been conducted since 2002 to improve interoperability among search and rescue organizations operating in the region.
Rescue scenario
