Turkish army conducts large-scale military exercises

Turkish Armed Forces have launched a large-scale and wide-range military drill with the code name of EFES-2014 in Doganbey gulf of southwestern province of Izmir’s Seferhisar district, according to a report here on Thursday.

Local Cihan News Agency reported that the drill started on Wednesday and Turkey’s all units such as air, naval and land forces commands are taking part at the drill with 8,500 soldiers.

The drill aims to make troops and garrisons gain the ability to operate jointly and increase their training level, according to the report.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Defense Minister Ismet Yilmaz and Chief of Staff General Necdet Ozel watched the performance on the second day of the live-firing exercises. Along with Turkish governmental and military officials, 51 foreign military members watched the drill as well.

Within the scope of the drill, the action plan of the army units was planned in line with an possible scenario which simulates an armed conflict between two countries.

Exercises will conclude with the army clearing the areas polluted by chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials.