The annual Martyr Lieutenant Caner Gönyeli Search and Rescue Exercise, one of the planned exercises of our Security Forces Command, is being carried out.

The land phase of the exercise was held at the Saint Hilarion 101 Evler region on Tuesday.

The naval phase of the exercise was carried out today off the coast of Gazimağusa.

The annual Martyr Lieutenant Caner Gönyeli 2022 Search and Rescue Exercise was launched on Tuesday morning with a press conference held at the Headquarters of the Cyprus Turkish Security Forces at Boğaz.

The Commander of the Security Forces Command (GKK) Major General Zorlu Topaloğlu gave a briefing on the drills.

Alongside Major General Topaloğlu other military officials, the wife of Caner Gönyeli Nükhet Gönyeli and his family attended the briefing.

Providing information about the exercise, Commander Topaloğlu said that the aim of the exercise was to conduct search and rescue for people and vehicles which were in danger at sea and on land with surface ships, aircraft, helicopters and specialized rescue teams.

Topaloğlu added that a total of 109 search and rescue operations had been carried out by Türkiye and the TRNC between 2003 and 2022.

He said 38 of these operations were carried out in Gazimağusa and the Karpaz region, 57 in Girne and the north of the Karpaz coast, nine in the Erenköy region and five in international waters.

The exercises will be conducted from June 13-17 this year.

Following the press briefing, the land phase of the exercise started in Girne’s 101 Evler.

10 military attachés from nine countries are observing this year’s exercise.

Speaking after the land phase of the exercises were realised President Tatar congratulated all the participants for the success of the exercise and stated that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus developed and strengthened itself in every field with the contributions of Motherland Türkiye.

Stating that the TRNC has improved itself over the years in search and rescue efforts and natural disasters with its own local resources and Türkiye’s support, President Tatar thanked the Republic of Türkiye for sharing its resources and extending its support.

He also noted that the participation of international observers, missions and representatives in this exercise raises the status of the TRNC state.

Stating that Türkiye uses all its means in order for the TRNC state to become further rooted, Tatar noted that the development of communications and coordination between the institutions and organizations of the two countries will create the opportunity for successful intervention in probable situations.