By Janet Ekstract
UNITED NATIONS (TURKISH JOURNAL) – The internationally-recognized Government Of National Accord (GNA) in Libya, announced on Thursday that it ratified a deal for security and military cooperation with Turkey.
This could open up the possibility of future military assistance from Turkey as Libya National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar and his forces double-down on military offensives against the GNA.
The latest offensive took place on Friday when foreign forces hit the western city of Mistrata in a sudden airstrike, injuring scores of civilians.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday, that Turkey would further expand and develop cooperation with Libya. Erdogan added that Turkey is ready to offer military support to the GNA to defeat Haftar.
Meanwhile, the GNA which is backed by the United Nations, sharply condemned Thursday’s airstrike.
Libya ‘s Presidential Council stated: “Extending the circle of aggression to include Mistrata is a sign of weakness and that expresses despair and confusion.”
The council further stated that the attack was due to “the inability of the aggressor militia to achieve any progress on the ground.”
Haftar and his forces have been trying to invade Tripoli since April without success.
The reason Haftar has an army is because he recruited thousands of mercenaries from the Sudanese and Chad opposition.
He also has Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group and members of Sudan ‘s Rapid Support Forces aka Janjaweed militia fighting with him.
Military support for Haftar is coming from the Emirates, Egypt and France as well as logistical support.
Reports indicate that the majority of Libyans do not support Haftar and locals in the western region are against Haftar’s campaign to create a military dictatorship in Libya.
U.S. officials and their EU counterparts met with Haftar several weeks ago, urging him to halt military operations but Haftar refused.
Haftar was counting on locals in Tripoli going against the GNA which would have provided an opportunity for him to invade Tripoli.
Instead, locals in the strategic city of Gharyan, 50 miles south of Tripoli, rose up against Haftar’s forces -expelling them from the city with assistance from brigades from Mistrata, Zintan and Zawiya last June.
Residents in Tripoli, Mistrata and Zuwara have protested against Haftar multiple times and the threat he poses to civil society.
Under the UN-backed GNA, Tripoli and other cities were quite safe prior to military threats and assaults from Haftar.
The self-styled military forces are a mix of tribal militants, former army men from Gaddafi’s regime and others who participated in the revolution against the regime.
Haftar primarily controls the eastern region in Libya and GNA forces have been a major deterrent to Haftar and his plans to take Tripoli.
GNA forces possess modern weaponry while Haftar must make do with outmoded aircraft and weaponry.
On December 12, Haftar announced he had ordered his militants to launch what he termed as a “decisive battle” to capture Tripoli.
Whether the GNA will ask Turkey’s military assistance in combating Haftar’s forces is not yet clear.
Since Haftar’s attacks, the UN has reported more than 1,000 deaths and over 5,000 people injured.
