Turkish Air Force Activity Linked to Libya Exposed over Mediterranean

Turkish aircraft have flown fighters and cargo to western Libya. (Reuters)
Turkish aircraft have flown fighters and cargo to western Libya. (Reuters)
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Turkish Air Force Activity Linked to Libya Exposed over Mediterranean

Turkish aircraft have flown fighters and cargo to western Libya. (Reuters)
Turkish aircraft have flown fighters and cargo to western Libya. (Reuters)

Turkish aircraft have been active over the eastern Mediterranean as the defense ministry announced Friday that its vessels and fighter jets will perform drills in the area.

The Turkish itamilradar website reported that three jets were detected as they flew towards western Libya in what was described as a “major mission”.

In a series of tweets, the website said the aircraft may have been transporting fighters or weapons from Turkey to Libya where Ankara supports the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA).

The defense ministry only declared the drills after news of the unusual aircraft activity circulated on social media, said itamilradar.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s general prosecution recommended that a lawmaker be stripped of his immunity for revealing details of how Turkish intelligence officers were killed in Libya.

Opposition MP Umit Ozdag had held a press conference at parliament in February when he revealed the death of the officers in military operations in Libya.

The general prosecution said he had violated intelligence agency regulations when he disclosed the information.

The prosecution had previously arrested six journalists and lifted the immunity of another MP for the same reason.



UNRWA Says Determined to Keep Working in Gaza Despite Israeli Ban

Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, attends a meeting of the Global Alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, at Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway, January 15, 2025. Heiko Junge/NTB/via REUTERS
Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, attends a meeting of the Global Alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, at Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway, January 15, 2025. Heiko Junge/NTB/via REUTERS
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UNRWA Says Determined to Keep Working in Gaza Despite Israeli Ban

Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, attends a meeting of the Global Alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, at Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway, January 15, 2025. Heiko Junge/NTB/via REUTERS
Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, attends a meeting of the Global Alliance for the implementation of the two-state solution, at Oslo City Hall in Oslo, Norway, January 15, 2025. Heiko Junge/NTB/via REUTERS

The head of the UN agency supporting Palestinian refugees said Friday it is determined to keep working in Gaza and the occupied West Bank after an Israeli ban on its operations takes effect Jan. 30.

Philippe Lazzarini told reporters that shutting down the agency known as UNRWA would “massively weaken the international humanitarian response” in Gaza.

That’s because UNRWA is the only body capable of providing essential health care and education in Gaza, he said, which will be especially needed once the ceasefire takes effect.

Israel alleges Hamas and other militants in Gaza have infiltrated UNRWA, using its facilities and taking aid — claims for which it has provided little evidence.

Established in 1949, UNRWA offers support to the 6 million Palestinian refugees and their descendants around the Mideast.

Right now, nearly all of the 2 million Palestinians in Gaza rely on the agency for primary health care, and its 650,000 children depend on UNRWA for education. Lazzarini said ending UNRWA’s operations would be “catastrophic.”