Rabat and Algiers side-by-side in US-led naval maneuvers

International maritime coordination in Tunisia

The naval base in La Goulette, Tunisia, witnessed on Monday, September 7, 2026, the launch of the 21st edition of the multinational naval maneuvers “Phoenix Express 2026.” This prominent military event brings together a number of international and regional powers, including Morocco and Algeria, alongside the United States, Egypt, France, Italy, Great Britain, and other nations, in a twelve-day exercise focused on securing navigation in the southern Mediterranean Sea.

Strategic goals to enhance maritime security

According to an official statement issued by the U.S. 6th Fleet Command, these maneuvers, hosted by the Tunisian Navy and facilitated by U.S. Naval Forces Africa, aim to raise the level of operational coordination among the participating forces. Field activities include intensive naval and land phases, search and rescue exercises, and simulations of vessel boarding, using advanced technology for real-time data exchange and creating a unified operational picture to deter illegal threats.

American approach to strengthen regional surveillance

The Vice Admiral, commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet, emphasized that the true strength of these maneuvers lies in integrating advanced technology with the professional expertise of the naval forces. He noted that the exercise focuses primarily on empowering African partner nations to detect and deter illegal activities that threaten freedom of navigation and international maritime trade, through the expanded integration of sophisticated tracking and surveillance systems within exclusive economic zones.

Moroccan and Algerian presence in a complex regional context

The joint participation of Morocco and Algeria in this maneuver comes under regional circumstances marked by tension, as diplomatic relations between the two countries have been severed since August 2021. Despite the political distance and outstanding regional files, the involvement in “Phoenix Express” remains an indicator of the importance of technical security cooperation to ensure maritime stability in the Mediterranean basin, under the umbrella of coordination led by U.S. Naval Forces.