Lebanese and British troops conclude three-week joint exercise with mock helicopter assault

Lebanese and British troops have wrapped up a three-week joint exercise in Lebanon, dubbed Operation Pegasus Cedar 2026. The drills took place at Hammana Barracks, east of Beirut, at a critical time for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), which has been tasked with disarming Iran-backed Hezbollah and extending state control throughout the country. The challenging environment is further complicated by Israel's occupation of southern Lebanon and its bombardment of the nation.

British army commander Lt Col Alex Phillips highlighted the importance of the exercise, stating it was an opportunity for the two militaries to learn from each other and strengthen their professional capabilities. The drills involved soldiers from Lebanon's elite Air Assault Regiment and the UK's 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, alongside six other countries, including the United States, Qatar, and Jordan.

The exercise culminated in a mock helicopter assault, where LAF helicopters swooped through a valley and placed British and Lebanese soldiers atop a building to launch attacks. The event was attended by LAF Chief of Staff Maj Gen Hassan Audi, the second most senior officer in the Lebanese military.

Following the conclusion of the exercise, a US-backed peace process aimed at reasserting Lebanese military control and disarming Hezbollah in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli troops has largely stalled. Lebanon's military, while highly respected, is underfunded and under-equipped, relying heavily on foreign support.