The annual Şehit Teğmen Caner Gönyeli Search and Rescue Exercise commenced yesterday, beginning with a detailed briefing at the Headquarters of the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces Command in Boğaz.

This critical exercise, aimed at enhancing search and rescue capabilities, has drawn considerable attention and participation from both local and international observers.

The briefing was led by Commander of the Security Forces Major General Osman Aytaç and included senior military officials and the family of the late Lieutenant Caner Gönyeli, including his wife Nükhet Gönyeli.

In his address, Major General Aytaç provided technical details about the exercise, emphasizing the importance of efficient coordination and professional equipment in search and rescue operations.

He highlighted the extensive cooperation between Türkiye and the TRNC since March 2002, which has seen a total of 114 search and rescue missions executed.

Major General Aytaç pointed out that while the TRNC has jurisdiction over its airspace and territorial waters, Türkiye is responsible for international waters and airspace.

He stressed the need for a well-organized structure and close inter-unit collaboration to carry out these time-critical missions effectively.

During the session, a biography of Lt. Gönyeli was also read out, and commemorative items were presented to his wife.

The exercise’s land phase was conducted successfully in the Saint Hilarion 101 Evler area, with President Ersin Tatar attending.

Major General Aytaç elaborated on the elements and sequence of the land operations, underlining the life-or-death urgency that characterizes search and rescue missions.

He reaffirmed the readiness of Türkiye and the TRNC to conduct such operations in any environment, day or night, by land, sea, or air.

Special Forces Operations Training Commander Major Vedat Özerkin provided an overview of the exercise scenario and execution.

The land phase involved a simulated emergency where a passenger plane, en route from Izmir, Türkiye to Ercan, TRNC, signalled distress and made a forced landing in the St. Hilarion area, prompting an immediate search and rescue response.

The sea phase of the exercise is scheduled to take place today off the coast of Gazimağusa, further demonstrating the comprehensive preparedness of Türkiye and the TRNC’s search and rescue capabilities.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Tahsin Ertuğruloğlu welcomed military attachés from Bangladesh, Mauritania, and Azerbaijan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.

The attachés are in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) to observe the exercise.