Summary:

On 5 November 2024, Tunisia began hosting the multinational naval exercise, Phoenix Express 2024, which will conclude on 15 November. 

The exercise is sponsored by the United States, and it brings together 1100 military personnel from 12 countries including Italy, Malta, Belgium, Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Turkey, Georgia, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya and the US. 

The exercise aims to strengthen cooperation and coordination between maritime crews, train military officials on the use of marine systems and equipment and develop their skills in countering illegal activities at sea and all forms of threats and organized crimes, such as smuggling and human trafficking. 

Outlook: 

Tunisia’s continued hosting of the US-sponsored naval exercise highlights its position as an important non-NATO ally and security partner in North Africa and the Mediterranean.  

The event demonstrates Tunisia’s commitment to regional cooperation and to providing a platform for capacity-building exercises for regional and international partners. The ability to bring together the Algerian and Moroccan navies is a significant achievement in regional coordination and diplomacy as the two countries remain in a bitter deadlock over various strategic issues. 

The exercise is likely to build capacity and capabilities within Tunisia’s defense community, particularly with regard to naval technologies and improved working relationships with key partners. However, this expanded capacity will likely continue to draw criticism from NGOs and activists fearing that this operational capacity will be inappropriately leveraged against migrants. 

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