Turkey is increasing its military involvement in the Libyan conflict. After officially sending its military advisers and officers to support the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), Turkey set up air defense systems near Mitiga Airport. The airport hosts warplanes of the GNA Air Force, and Turkish-supplied Bayraktar TB2 combat drones. According to photos and videos available online, the deployed Turkish systems included the MIM-23 Hawk, the ACV-30 Korkut SPAAG, and the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel 3D radar.
Since the start of the advance of the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar on Tripoli in April 2019, Mitiga Airport repeatedly became a target of airstrikes. These strikes led to notable losses in GNA military aircraft. The Turkish move is apparently aimed at securing operations from Mitiga Airport. Despite this, the facility still remains too close to the frontline and thus any aircraft deployed there remains in a constant danger.
Meanwhile, the number of members of Turkish-backed Syrian militant groups deployed in Libya reportedly grew to 2,400. According to reports, 1,700 more Syrian fighters are now passing training in military camps in Turkey before being deployed to fight on the side of the GNA. The total number of Turkish proxies in Libya remains unconfirmed. However, photos and videos appearing online indicate that hundreds of Turkish-backed fighters arrive Libya via planes on a regular basis.
On January 18, the Benghazi-based government allied with the LNA blocked oil exports at ports under his control, slashing output by more than a half. According to Libya’s National Oil Corp., oil output will fall by about 800,000 barrels a day, costing $55 million daily. The corporation declared Force Majeure, which can allow Libya, which holds Africa’s largest-proven oil reserves, to legally suspend delivery contracts. The LNA says that the ports were closed in response to ‘demands of the Libyan nation’ that stands against the GNA-requested Turkish intervention.
The move came ahead the Berlin conference demonstrated to international players the LNA readiness to provide own course regardless the possible cost. The conference took place on January 19 involving top delegations from the GNA, the LNA, as well as global and regional players, including the USA, Turkey, the UAE, Egypt, Russia, France, Italy and Germany.
The participants of the Berlin conference declared their support the ceasefire between the GNA, the LNA, declared their commitment to a political solution of the conflict. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the warring sides in Libya’s conflict agreed to respect an arms embargo and not to provide the varying sides with military support. The representatives of the Libyan conflict agreed to form a five-by-five military commission that should work on resolving the existing tensions. The document on Libya will have to be approved by the UN Security Council. This makes the Libyan peace process dependent on other geopolitical issues.
On top of that, the unconditional ceasefire goes against interests of the LNA, which has an upper hand in an open military confrontation with the GNA. Haftar may regret that he agreed to participate in the Berlin negotiations format, where he faced a joint pressure from Western powers involved in the conflict.
Yeah thats how we know the Turks
Yeah that’s how we know the scumbag like you
Lupus just told the truth, although generalized. Erdogan is a weasel.
So is Putin, just the blonde version.
Why would you support GNA?
Why would you support the LNA?
He is Turk Better ask him; “Is that you Mustafa?”
Because they are opposed to the evil governments in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, etc, who are puppets of the west.
Hush boy, continue polishing my shoes
Never trust a Russian bear. LOL
Seems like the Russian bear is better to trust then the American eagle. LOL
notice up side down flag, he is no US patriot but (s)trolling Turk
Thx bro i need glasses
ok, so, the European Union …has cut down the help to the Turkish regime to (From DW ) :
Turkey will now ”only” receive €168 million ($186 million), of which €150 million will be spent on strengthening democracy and rule of law. The rest is earmarked for rural development. {ROFL, yeah right}.
…Which means : 5000 missionary troops moved from Syria to Libya getting payed € 2000 / month for roughly 18 months… In 18 months how much oil will Erdogan’s goons steal from the people of Libya …
This is how money is made… Erdogan has learned a lot by his mate, the ‘master of the deal’ (LOL) , Donald Trump.
Erdogan has already distributed any potential head-chopper pay to his family’s overseas bank accounts. The merc’s are never going to see a dime of that money. How can they be that stupid?
Funny how nobody could prove those “overseas bank accounts”.
Wel lthey are stupid enough to believe that when they ll die they ll be 70odd virgins waiting for them… ROFL…whar did u expect hahaha
Erdogan is the only man standing up to injustice in the world. Go back to sleep. Your source is mainstream media full of lies.
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HAHAHHA Yeah of course…only Erdogan …and this other fellow in history… You love a bit of a kebap dont you like the other scum mustafa mehmet… F*CK YOU terrorist lover boy!
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I didn’t know I was replying to an ignoramus!
Yeah, right, carefull you might fall off your high road you think u took…and land on your head…or whatever it is you got stuck on your solders anyway…
“…the deployed Turkish systems included the MIM-23 Hawk, the ACV-30 Korkut SPAAG, and the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel 3D radar.”
I’m sure Haftar and the LNA thank you in advance. They’ll come in handy when they overrun Mitiga and mow down the fleeing foreign terrorists.
Yeah we see how they overrun Tripoli since 10 months. But considering the Battle for taking Benghazi took LNA 3 years… Tripoli urban warfare will be a death trap for LNA, Turkish officers are organizing the Defense and traps. Turkish Armed Forces and FSA are experienced in Urban Warfare.
Good point. Your true words fall on deaf ears. Everybody’s biased in these Russian sites.
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those fighters are Isis
Turkey learned well from the untrustworthy superpowers, USA and Russia.
The Russians have the blood of innocent civilians of Libya in their hands.
yea man, like that US politico that said: We came, We saw, We killed
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FFS. Now you’ve done it…
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For the first time in many years, Erdogan is doing the right thing. Haftar is a murderous general and puppet of the west. The internationally recognized government of Libya (the GNA) is more anti-western and anti-imperialist than the Criminal, Haftar. I am very sure Russia will soon dump him. He has refused to sign a ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey, and has also refused to agree to one reached by the EU, Russia and Turkey.
ERDOGAN IS WRONG ABOUT SYRIA, BUT HE IS RIGHT ABOUT LIBYA