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On May 21st, Libyan National Army (LNA) air force chief Saqr al-Jaroushi announced the beginning of the “largest aerial campaign in Libyan history.”
“You are about to see the largest aerial campaign in Libyan history in the coming hours,” al-Jaroushi said. “All Turkish positions and interests in all cities are legitimate targets for our airforce jets and we call on civilians to stay away from them.”
The Government of National Accord’s (GNA) interior minister Fathi Bashagha said the GNA had received information that at least six MiG 29s and two Sukhoi 24s had flown into the east from the Russian-controlled Hmeimim Air Base in Syria, escorted by two SU-35 Russian airforce jets.
On May 19th, the top UN envoy for Libya Stephanie Williams reports alarming military escalation in the country.
Meanwhile, the GNA’s forces are moving eastward towards Tarhuna, and there’s heavy clashes, as well as intense shelling and airstrike activity on them by Haftar’s LNA.
الله أكبر ولله الحمد
الطيران الحربي التابع للقيادة العامة يقصف تجمعات لخوارج قوة السراج الذين حاولو الدخول لمدينة #الأصابعة ومقتل العشرات منهم #ليبيا
— سالم الشرقاوي (@agly1988) May 20, 2020
The GNA is attempting to enter al-Asabiah town on its way to Tarhuna, as the focus is turning towards it after al-Watiya was captured.
Heavy airstrike and shelling activity is being observed from both sides, however, the LNA’s “largest ever campaign” is yet to begin.
In support of the LNA, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al Sisi affirmed that Egypt’s stance regarding the situation in Libya which includes reaching a political solution, preserving the country’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity.
During the African Union Contact Group on Libya videoconferencing meeting, Sisi said that Libya’s stability is one of the determinants of the Egyptian national security, adding that Egypt has not and will not tolerate terrorist groups and those who support them.
According to presidency spokesperson Bassam Radi, Sisi stressed that Egypt supports the free will of the Libyan people and their choices, along with the complete refusal for any external interference in the Libyan internal affairs.
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The stupid dumbass moron “field marshal” of camels Haftar does not realize that the Turkish HAWK MIM23 would blast the Migs and Sukhois out of the skies. Unless the Egyptian losers intervene it will be a slaughter. BTW, the MIG 23 Flogger with swing wings is a pretty neat aircraft. Only if these Bedouin camel jockeys knew how to fly it. In performance if comes close to an F-14 in afterburner thrust and very maneuverable at low deck 5,000 feet and below.
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Well, I think there is a deal between Erdogan and Putin on Libya also. The deal is about showing Haftar that he cannot achieve his goals by military means, and force him to negotiate seriously. To this end Putin reduced his support to Haftar (by disengaging Wagner from Libya for example), and let Turkey show him his limits. Now, if GNA thinks that it can achieve a military victory over LNA, Russia will reengage in Libya and show also GNA its limits. We shall see how this works out There are external parties like Egypt or UAE, who can spoil the game. Putin probably gets something in Syria for return.
“The Government of National Accord’s (GNA) interior minister Fathi Bashagha said the GNA had received information that at least six MiG 29s and two Sukhoi 24s had flown into the east from the Russian-controlled Hmeimim Air Base in Syria, escorted by two SU-35 Russian airforce jets.”
Sounds more like Wagner Air Force (WAF) is on it’s way to assist Haftar.
We shall see. 8 planes will for sure not change the fate of this war, even if it is piloted by Russians. Especially as Mig29-s are best used as interceptors rather than tactical bombers (small plane with small payload). Maybe they can be used to get rid of excess UAVs, but I do not know this well enough. Turkey can for sure get a few F16s over to counter these planes.I think this is more like a message to GNA to step back and negotiate.
I told the UNSC P5/6 that NATO couldn’t be trusted to honor the terms of the no fly zone resolution on Libya and that there was a high probability that it would be violated before they approved it. And they approved it anyways and now they have a big mess.
Sinking Turkey warships and taken outGNA bases will guarantee altumate win.In Syria immediately attacking all Turkey bases and killing tens of thousands of Turkey soldiers will led to complete collapse of Turkey army and morale of fighters.Revolution will start in Turkey and Erdogan hang on a street pole by his bodyguards.