CAIRO/ANKARA, (HAN) – After more than a decade of political estrangement and regional rivalry, Egypt and Turkey are preparing to stage a joint naval drill that many observers believe could reshape the balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The exercise, dubbed “Friendship at Sea,” will take place from September 22 to 26, bringing together the region’s two largest naval forces for the first time in 13 years. Turkish submarines, Egyptian naval units, F-16 fighter jets, and a range of other maritime and air assets will participate in what military officials describe as a “landmark operation.”
For both Cairo and Ankara, the drill is more than a show of force. It symbolizes a new chapter in relations between two powers that were long divided over issues ranging from the Libyan conflict to maritime disputes. Analysts say the rapprochement reflects a pragmatic shift in priorities as both governments navigate a region marked by conflict, competition, and shifting alliances.
“Egypt and Turkey are sending a message that cooperation is now possible, even necessary,” said one regional security expert. “It’s not just about the exercise itself; it’s about what it represents in terms of diplomacy and strategy.”
The Eastern Mediterranean—with its contested waters, vital shipping lanes, and untapped energy reserves—has long been a theater of tension. The sight of Egyptian and Turkish fleets working side by side is expected to resonate not only with neighboring states but also with global powers invested in the region.
The timing is symbolic: the last joint exercise was held in 2011, at the height of political upheaval in the Middle East. Since then, relations soured, ambassadors were withdrawn, and both nations frequently backed opposing sides in regional conflicts.
Now, facing economic pressures at home and new security challenges abroad, Cairo and Ankara appear to be recalibrating. The upcoming exercise offers a highly visible signal of that shift, turning the page on years of hostility.
Observers caution that while “Friendship at Sea” will not erase deep-seated differences overnight, it opens the door to broader cooperation—from counterterrorism operations to securing commercial sea routes.
For citizens of both countries, images of Egyptian and Turkish warships sailing together may come to represent more than a naval drill: the hope that regional rivals can discover common ground, even after years of division.
