Libya: LNA Downs Two Turkish Drones in Tripoli

Shell casings are seen on the ground during a fight between members of the Libyan internationally recognised government forces and Eastern forces in al-Yarmouk south of Tripoli, Libya (File Photo: Reuters)
Shell casings are seen on the ground during a fight between members of the Libyan internationally recognised government forces and Eastern forces in al-Yarmouk south of Tripoli, Libya (File Photo: Reuters)
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Libya: LNA Downs Two Turkish Drones in Tripoli

Shell casings are seen on the ground during a fight between members of the Libyan internationally recognised government forces and Eastern forces in al-Yarmouk south of Tripoli, Libya (File Photo: Reuters)
Shell casings are seen on the ground during a fight between members of the Libyan internationally recognised government forces and Eastern forces in al-Yarmouk south of Tripoli, Libya (File Photo: Reuters)

The Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar announced it has shot down two Turkish drones in Souk al-Khamis, south of Tripoli, during the past 24 hours.

Commander of LNA’s western military operations room, Maj. Gen. al-Mabrouk al-Ghazwi confirmed the downing of a Turkish drone south of Tripoli after it took off from “Turkish base in Mitiga,” saying it was a violation of the ceasefire declared in the region.

LNA spokesman, Maj. Gen. Ahmed al-Mismari quoted Ghazwi as confirming his units’ readiness to deal with any threat that puts the security and safety of the capital and forces at risk.

Meanwhile, Russia accused Turkey of helping foreign fighters in crossing to Libyan territories, according to its Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov.

Russian media quoted Bogdanov as saying that Moscow does not see any indication of the willingness of the warring parties in Libya to implement the military and political decisions reached at the Berlin conference last month.

Bogdanov said he saw there was no indication that either of the warring parties supported “the basic principles” for resolving the crisis, with regard to military and political developments.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he would brief Security Council members on the progress made in implementing the conclusions of the Berlin Libya Conference on Libya, as well as that of the follow-up meeting on Libyan affairs held in Munich.

In a statement published by the office of the German Foreign Ministry before traveling to New York, Maas added that “the international community cannot stand idle in the face of the disastrous humanitarian situation.”

He indicated that members of the Security Council will talk about how further escalation can be avoided and access to humanitarian assistance ensured.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) stresses the importance of launching the Libyan political dialogue in Geneva.

However, House of Representatives (HoR) spokesman Abdullah Bleihaq assured Asharq Al-Awsat that there is no official representative of the council in the negotiations, pointing out that the delegation of five parliamentarians returned from Geneva.

The Media advisor to HoR Speaker, Fathi al-Marimi, said that the House suspended its participation in the Geneva dialogue as a result of the UN mission’s failure to respond to its questions and concerns regarding the names of independents, dialogue axes, and duration.

For his part, Eastern Libya’s foreign minister, Abdulhadi Lahweej, pointed that his government, parallel to the internationally recognized, did not agree with UNSMIL to form the delegation.

He explained in press statements his government could not force eastern tribesmen to lift an oil blockade that he said was a “popular decision.”

“We cannot use our power to lift the blockade,” Lahweej said, alleging that the Tripoli government was using revenues from oil to pay for thousands of mercenaries he said have come from Syria to help them.



Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: US Pressing Hard to Secure Gaza Truce Deal

A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)
A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)
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Sources to Asharq Al-Awsat: US Pressing Hard to Secure Gaza Truce Deal

A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)
A Palestinian boy searches through garbage in Al-Bureij camp in central Gaza on Monday (AFP)

Hamas sources have described the ongoing indirect negotiations with Israel in Doha as “more serious” than previous rounds, when they said both Israel and the United States lacked genuine commitment.

One Hamas figure told Asharq Al-Awsat that while it remains difficult to predict the outcome, “there is cautious optimism about a possible breakthrough, especially given the clear American pressure aimed at reaching an agreement soon.”

The talks, which began Sunday evening in the Qatari capital, focus on a potential two-month ceasefire that would halt military operations and secure the release of hostages from Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has traveled to Washington for meetings with US President Donald Trump.

According to the sources, negotiations have not stalled and are expected to continue for several days. “At least for now, they cannot be described as negative,” one official said. “Mediators are making serious efforts to achieve progress and conclude a deal as quickly as possible.”

If talks continue positively, the sources said an announcement could come as early as Thursday. But they stressed that any breakthrough depends primarily on Israel’s willingness to accept key Palestinian demands, particularly the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid, a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and guarantees that the war will end definitively.

The sources declined to specify any obstacles currently impeding talks, preferring to “wait for the outcome in the coming hours or days.”

Hamas negotiators, they said, remain committed to “securing the Palestinian demands submitted as amendments to the latest US proposal drafted by envoy Steve Witkoff.”

“These conditions are essential for a fair ceasefire that gives the people of Gaza hope the war will truly end,” the official added, “and prevents Israel from resuming attacks under any pretext as long as negotiations continue.”

The diplomatic efforts coincide with continued Israeli military escalation in Gaza, where intensive airstrikes have struck apartment blocks, shelters, and aid distribution points. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the Palestinian death toll has risen to 57,523 since the war began on October 7, 2023.

Israeli ground forces have expanded operations in northern, southern, and western Khan Yunis, advancing further into Gaza City’s Shuja’iyya and Tuffah neighborhoods. In the south, the military is pushing into the Zeitoun district, edging closer to Gaza’s Old City and the Latin Convent, which houses thousands of displaced civilians.

Israel reportedly aims to widen a buffer zone inside Gaza by over a kilometer - an issue it also tried to cement in January’s ceasefire agreement. Hamas is insisting this time on a clear, staged Israeli withdrawal, with agreed timelines and maps, while Israel appears determined to retain positions near the border fence and along the Philadelphi Corridor with Egypt.

Trump said Sunday there was “a good chance” for a Gaza ceasefire agreement “this week” before meeting Netanyahu in Washington. He added the US is also working with Israel on several issues, perhaps including a permanent deal with Iran.

Netanyahu arrived in the US on Monday for talks with Trump, envoy Steve Witkoff, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.