Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) completed the two-day The Martyr Ensign Caner Gönyeli-2024 Search and Rescue Invitation Exercise in Northern Cyprus. The exercise took place in two phases, Land and Sea, in the Girne (Kyrenia/St. Hilarion) region and outside the territorial waters of the TRNC in the Turkish Search and Rescue Region, off the coast of Gazimağusa (Famagusta) with the participation of civilian and military elements from the Search and Rescue Organizations of the Republic of Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) between June 10-14, 2024. The goal of the exercise is to test the mutual coordination and functionality of the Search and Rescue Organizations of the Republic of Türkiye and the TRNC through scenarios that could also occur in real situations. It also aims to improve the capabilities to conduct joint search and rescue operations within a comprehensive scenario with broad participation, as well as to identify and address any potential shortcomings. 

The exercise included participation from the Turkish Land Forces Command, Turkish Naval Forces Command, Turkish Air Force Command, Turkish Coast Guard Command, TRNC elements, civilian institutions and organizations, as well as observers from Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, and Mauritania. Additionally, 10 Coordination Centers from the Republic of Türkiye and 4 from the TRNC took part in the exercise. In the first phase of the exercise, conducted in the Girne (St. Hilarion) region on June 11, search and rescue operations were carried out according to the exercise scenario following the loss of contact with a passenger aircraft flying in the Türkiye-TRNC route over the Beşparmak Mountains within the TRNC airspace.