Since last week, two Libyan warships – one from each of the navies of the Tripoli-based Libyan Army and the Libyan National Army (LNA) – have participated in US AFRICOM’s Naval Exercise Phoenix Express 2024. The training for maritime security operations included several drills like defence against terrorist boats, refuelling at sea, search and rescue, interdiction of suspicious vessels, and coordination with a multinational communication centre (MNCC).
On 13 November, the Chief of Staff of the LNA Naval Forces revealed that naval special forces were also participating. The platoon-sized LNA- Navy forces practiced sea mine detection and removal in a Tunisian port as well as the boarding and inspection of ‘suspicious vessels’ and the detaining of suspects.
On 14 November, both Libyan ships participated in the closing ceremony of the exercise at La Goulette Naval Base, in Tunis, Tunisia.