World’s most powerful military joins forces with a Russian-backed North African nation as both unite against a common enemy

The U.S. Marine has joined forces with Libyan naval special forces to conduct high-level tactical operations in Bizerte, Tunisia.

• U.S. naval forces and Libyan naval special forces conducted joint training in Bizerte, Tunisia as part of Phoenix Express 2026.
• The exercise focuses on maritime security challenges like piracy, illegal fishing, and cyber threats to shipping systems.
• Phoenix Express is organized by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, led by the U.S. Sixth Fleet, and hosted by the Tunisian Navy.
• Despite Libya's military ties to Russia, pressing regional security needs have prompted cooperation with the U.S.

The Libya Observer reported that the U.S. Department of War announced the joint training as part of the Phoenix Express 2026 maneuvers.

To inform the public about the goal of the drills U.S. Department of War posted on Facebook “U.S. Marines and Libyan naval special forces conduct visit, board, search and seizure training during Phoenix Express 2026 in Bizerte, Tunisia, strengthening maritime security through international cooperation”.

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Both forces have united to confront common maritime security challenges, including modern piracy, and illegal fishing.

Organized by U.S. Naval Forces Africa and led by the U.S. Sixth Fleet, the 12-day exercise hosted by the Tunisian Navy brings regional powers together to protect vital sea lanes across the southern Mediterranean.

The U.S. and Libya cooperate despite growing Russian presence

This joint defense initiative is particularly notable because direct military collaboration between Washington and Libyan units is usually considered unlikely due to Libya’s ongoing defense ties with Moscow.

Business Insider Africa recently reported that U.S. defense agencies rely on advanced satellite technology to track Russian warplanes and military drones deployed across six Libyan airbases.

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Thereafter, Italian officials observed that Russian military convoy carrying armored vehicles recently arrived at the port of Tobruk in eastern Libya.

Nevertheless, pressing Mediterranean defense needs have led both forces to train side by side during the 21st edition of Phoenix Express.

Egypt and North African partners balance relationships with the U.S. and Russia

Navigating complex diplomatic ties with Western nations and Russia simultaneously is a common strategy in North African geopolitics.

For instance, Libya’s fellow North African nation Egypt is widely recognized for maintaining cordial relationships with the West, China, and Russia at the same time as it pursues its national interests.

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This approach is reflected in the broad coalition assembled in Tunisia, which features military personnel from Algeria, Belgium, Egypt, France, Georgia, Italy, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

By uniting these nations around shared defense goals, the exercise strengthens international expertise and secures critical Mediterranean waterways.