The PEGASUS CEDAR 2026 exercise concluded on 23 October 2026 following three weeks of training at Hammana Barracks, located east of Beirut. Troops involved in the joint maneuvers included the Lebanese Army's Qajouqal Battalion and the 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland. British army commander Lt Col Alex Phillips described the event as a means to strengthen ties between the two nations' forces. "It's incredibly important to build our relationship of mutual support and to develop our professionalism as militaries in the region," Lt Col Alex Phillips stated regarding the joint operations. The exercise finished on schedule after the participating units completed their planned activities at the military site.
International Participation and Observers
Elements from the US Army and the Italian Army participated directly in the PEGASUS CEDAR 2026 exercise alongside the Lebanese and British forces. These units engaged in the maneuvers conducted at Hammana Barracks throughout the three-week training period.
Personnel from the French Army, Cypriot Army, Qatari Army, and Jordanian Army attended the training sessions as observers. These representatives monitored the joint activities as the units completed their scheduled operations. No other international forces were present at the military site during the exercise period, which concluded on 23 October 2026.
Tactical Training and Objectives
Training maneuvers focused on the simulation of eliminating a terrorist group. Participating units integrated the use of drones, helicopters, and medium weapons to execute these tactical scenarios at Hammana Barracks. These operations aimed to refine the operational readiness of the Lebanese and British personnel involved in the joint exercise.
The British contingent participating in these drills is normally based at Dhekelia Garrison in Cyprus. These forces deployed from their Mediterranean base to join the Lebanese Army's Qajouqal Battalion for the three-week period. Following the conclusion of the exercises on 23 October 2026, the units transitioned from the simulated combat environment. All equipment and personnel involved in the training completed their designated objectives according to the established schedule.
Strategic Importance of Cooperation
The previous largest joint exercise involving United Kingdom and Lebanese troops occurred in September 2023. That operation served as the prior benchmark for military collaboration between the two nations before the execution of the PEGASUS CEDAR 2026 drills at Hammana Barracks. Planning for the most recent joint maneuvers drew upon the operational parameters established during that 2023 training cycle. Command staff utilized the experience from the September 2023 event to organize the current three-week schedule. By building on the scope of the 2023 training, the units aimed to refine their cooperative capabilities. All participating forces concluded their activities on 23 October 2026, marking the end of the latest iteration of these bilateral military engagements.
