Libyan National Army Destroys Plan to Build Turkish Base in Misrata

Forces loyal to the GNA are seen in Misrata, Libya. (Reuters)
Forces loyal to the GNA are seen in Misrata, Libya. (Reuters)
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Libyan National Army Destroys Plan to Build Turkish Base in Misrata

Forces loyal to the GNA are seen in Misrata, Libya. (Reuters)
Forces loyal to the GNA are seen in Misrata, Libya. (Reuters)

The Libyan National Army intensified Sunday its airstrikes against pro-Government of National Accord militias in Tripoli and Misrata.

In a statement, the LNA said that its raids destroyed a plan to build a Turkish base near the air force academy in Misrata.

“The construction of a military base for a foreign country such as Turkey with its poor history with the Libyan people is great treason against the independence of the nation,” it added.

The development is another crime committed by the Misrata militias and their backers, the Muslim Brotherhood, it stated.

The LNA will not tolerate such actions, it warned.

The army struck hangars used by Turkish drones, saying: “Misrata city’s contribution to the war effort against the operation to liberate Tripoli makes it a legitimate aerial target.”

The LNA had launched an operation to cleanse Tripoli of pro-GNA militias in April.

The army said Misrata will no longer be a target once it abandons its support to the militias.

Images circulated online showed a Turkish military base in Misrata that was housing drones. Sources said the facility, which was neutralized, was being set up as a possible permanent Turkish base similar to its positions in Syria.

Separately, the United Nations mission in Libya condemned on Sunday the LNA strikes against the airport of Zuwara, a town west of Tripoli.

“The mission renews its condemnation of the attacks conducted by the LNA forces against Zuwara airport, which cause serious damage,” it said, adding that the runway had been damaged.

Earlier this month, the LNA said it had twice bombed the airport, saying it had targeted hangars used by Turkish drones.

The UN mission said it had visited Zuwara airport and found no military infrastructure or assets.



Israel Declares 'New Phase' of War, Netanyahu Promises to Return Citizens of the North

FILED - 02 September 2024, Israel, Jerusalem: Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference. Photo: Avi Ohayon/GPO/dpa
FILED - 02 September 2024, Israel, Jerusalem: Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference. Photo: Avi Ohayon/GPO/dpa
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Israel Declares 'New Phase' of War, Netanyahu Promises to Return Citizens of the North

FILED - 02 September 2024, Israel, Jerusalem: Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference. Photo: Avi Ohayon/GPO/dpa
FILED - 02 September 2024, Israel, Jerusalem: Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference. Photo: Avi Ohayon/GPO/dpa

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Wednesday that Israel was “at the start of a new phase in the war” amid rising tension with Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

“We are at the start of a new phase in the war — it requires courage, determination and perseverance,” Gallant told Israeli troops.

He made no mention of the explosions of electronic devices in Lebanon but praised the work of Israel’s army and security agencies, saying “the results are very impressive.”

Israeli leaders have issued a series of warnings in recent weeks that they might increase operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, saying they must put a stop to the cross-border exchanges to allow people to return to homes near the border.

Israel began moving more troops to its border with Lebanon on Wednesday as a precautionary measure, according to an official with knowledge of the movements who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

In his comments, Gallant said that after months of fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip, “the center of gravity is shifting to the north by diverting resources and forces.”

As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu huddled with top security officials at Israeli military headquarters in Tel Aviv, the country's army chief, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, said plans have been drawn up for additional action against Hezbollah.

Israel will ensure that tens of thousands of residents evacuated from northern border areas will be able to go back home, Netanyahu said on Wednesday.

"I have said it before, we will return the citizens of the north to their homes in security and that's exactly what we are going to do," he said in a brief video statement, giving no further details.

Israeli sources with knowledge of the matter said the army had moved its 98th Division, which includes commando and paratrooper formations, from Gaza to the north.