UNIFIL’s Maritime Task Force (MTF) recently resumed training with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) after a nearly six-month hiatus, conducting four training exercises with the LAF Air Force over the past month.

Training exercises with the LAF Navy and its Air Force had been suspended since 26 September 2024 following intensification of conflict affecting various Lebanese areas, in particular the south as well as the country’s territorial waters. 

Starting with the first exercise on 11 March, all training exercises with the LAF Air Force were conducted approximately 12 nautical miles off the coasts of Beirut or Jounieh, involving Air Force pilots, helicopters, MTF ships, and personnel.

“The exercises were conducted to train both ground members and pilots,” said Lieutenant Commander Al Ekram of UNIFIL MTF, who was involved in the organization of these exercises. He added that the exercises increase “efficiency level of the (LAF) pilots” while carrying out operations at sea. 

Lieutenant Commander Ekram said MTF is also planning to resume training exercises with the LAF Navy in the coming weeks.

UNIFIL MTF is the first naval component deployed in October 2006 as part of a UN peace operation to help the Lebanese Navy secure the country’s territorial waters. As part of their mandate, MTF personnel regularly work the LAF to build the sustainable operational capacity of its navy through joint exercises, training, equipment and technical assistance.