Lebanese and British Forces Enhance Military Ties with Joint Exercise Culminating in Mock Helicopter Assault

Lebanese and British troops have successfully concluded a three-week joint military exercise in Lebanon, designed to bolster cooperation between their armed forces. Dubbed Operation Pegasus Cedar 2026, the exercise took place at a critical juncture for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as they face the significant challenge of disarming Iran-backed Hezbollah and extending governmental authority across the nation. This mission is further complicated by Israel’s ongoing occupation of southern Lebanon and its aerial bombardments.

British army commander Lt Col Alex Phillips highlighted the exercise as a valuable opportunity for mutual learning. The National was granted exclusive access to the drills conducted at Hammana Barracks, located east of Beirut. "It's incredibly important to build our relationship of mutual support and to develop our professionalism as militaries in the region," Phillips stated to reporters.

The training involved soldiers from Lebanon's elite Air Assault Regiment and the UK's 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, who collaborated over the three-week period. The exercise also saw participation from six other nations, including the United States, Qatar, and Jordan. The culmination of the drills featured a simulated helicopter assault, where LAF helicopters deployed British and Lebanese soldiers onto a building rooftop to execute mock attacks.

Among the observers was LAF Chief of Staff Maj Gen Hassan Audi, the second-highest-ranking officer in the Lebanese army. The British contingent typically operates from Dhekelia Garrison in Cyprus. This exercise builds upon a previous joint drill in September 2023, which was recognized as the largest exercise involving UK and Lebanese troops to date. Operation Pegasus Cedar 2026 marks the first joint drill between the two countries since the commencement of the war in Gaza following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023.

Lebanon has been frequently drawn into the broader regional conflict, with ongoing exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel. Israeli forces occupy a significant portion of southern Lebanon, leading to mandatory evacuations and the demolition of villages. A US-backed peace initiative proposed that the Lebanese military reassert control and disarm Hezbollah in return for the withdrawal of Israeli troops, but this process has largely stalled. Hezbollah, which was not a signatory to the agreement made in June, has rejected its terms. The LAF, despite being highly respected within Lebanon, suffers from inadequate funding and equipment, relying heavily on external support.