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Flintlock 2026 Opens in Libya With First Joint Training by Rival Forces

The U.S.-led special operations drill signals tentative military integration in a country long split between east and west.

Overview

  • Flintlock 2026 officially began with opening ceremonies in Sirte, Libya, and Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
  • Forces aligned with Libya’s rival administrations trained side by side in Sirte in their first joint military event.
  • About 1,500 personnel from more than 30 countries are taking part to boost interoperability through air, ground, and maritime drills.
  • Italy is co-hosting the Sirte site to build counterterrorism skills and run a multinational joint operations center.
  • A Libyan joint military committee known as the 3+3 supports the training, which organizers say could advance steps toward a more unified national force.