Libya’s participation in AFRICOM’s Flintlock 2026 Special Operations training exercise in Sirte in April was widely hailed as a success. The exercise was co-hosted by Italian special forces and involved American, Turkish and other multinational forces and was focused on ‘enhancing counterterrorism capabilities and running a multinational joint operations centre to improve regional security coordination.’

Critically, however, the exercise included military units from Libya’s two competing camps. Among the units taking part from the east was the LAAF’s Saiqa special forces unit, while those on the GNU side included Armoured Brigade 111, which is commanded by the GNU Deputy Defence Minister, Abdelsalam Zoubi. The event was presided over by both Saddam Haftar and Zoubi, who were photographed sitting next to each other as the exercise took place. It also produced a handshake between the two military leaders. Zoubi posted a photograph of the handshake on his social media feed, but was forced to remove it after it triggered a furious backlash from armed elements in western Libya opposed to his engagement with Saddam Haftar. 

Boulos hailed the event as a critical step towards military integration in Libya. The exercise was particularly important for the US in terms of countering Russian influence in Libya and the wider region. Boulos praised officials from both camps for helping to ‘build the foundations for unified military and security institutions.’ AFRICOM Deputy Commander Lt. Gen. John Brennan also praised the exercise, welcoming the ‘investment of visionary leaders on both sides’ and stating that ‘security breeds prosperity’, which he said was visible in Libya.

Yet while the joint exercise was undoubtedly an important step forward, it is unclear whether it will lead to more sustained cooperation or the unification of Libya’s competing military forces. On 17 April, after meeting Khoury in Benghazi, Saddam Haftar announced the formation of a 3+3 committee to establish a joint operations room that would operate across Libya to combat terrorism and organised crime. 

However, the prospects for further integration of these forces are limited. As Libyan commentators pointed out, while the exercise was a success, the two teams were hardly integrated. They undertook the training exercise under the banner of being Libyan, but did not engage fully with each other. Each side reportedly carried out the manoeuvres under its own separate hierarchy and commanders. For some Libyan commentators, the exercise was therefore largely performative and is unlikely to mark the beginning of deeper military unification between the two sides. 

The April 2026 issue of Libya Focus also includes the following:

Implications

Politics

• Boulos initiative prompts a major backlash…
• Menfi and Dbeibah tussle over foreign minister’s post…
• UNSMIL adopts new plan…

Security

• Flintlock 2026 is hailed as a success…
• The LAAF faces problems in the south…

Energy & Economy

• Unified budget is agreed…