عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Interviews

Mismari to Asharq Al-Awsat: 17,000 Terrorists Moved from Syria to Libya

Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari. (AFP)
Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari. (AFP)
TT
TT

Mismari to Asharq Al-Awsat: 17,000 Terrorists Moved from Syria to Libya

Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari. (AFP)
Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari. (AFP)

Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari dismissed on Sunday claims by Interior Minister of the Government of National Accord (GNA), Fathi Bashagha, that the military could be expelled from Tarhuna city.

“Such remarks are aimed at raising the morale of the militias that are fighting with him,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat. “He is using such claims to bring in greater Turkish intervention in the fighting.”

“The militias attempted to attack Tarhuna on seven fronts in a comprehensive operation that saw the participation of Turkish drones and ground forces. They pushed with all they have and could not even come close to the city outskirts,” he stressed.

“Tarhuna will resist those who are fiercely vying to control it and cut off military supply routes,” he vowed. “We are aware of all of the militias’ targets and we are prepared for them.”

Tarhuna lies 88 kilometers southeast of the capital Tripoli and is a main supply base for the LNA’s operations in the west. Observers believe that the military loss of the city will deal it a major blow in the conflict and turn the tide against it.

Responding to Bashagha’s claims that the LNA was deliberately attacking Tripoli residents, Mismari said: “These allegations are baseless. It is odd that he is an interior minister, not a military spokesman on the ground who can report the truth of what is happening.”

The reality is that the random attacks are being launched daily by the militias from Mitiga base and the city outskirts, he stressed.

“There is a big difference between us and their targets and principles. They are defending the persistence of their militias and bases of power and money in Tripoli, while we are fighting to liberate Libya,” Mismari declared. “We are fighting for the dignity of the people and therefore, cannot strike them inside their homes and neighborhoods.”

“We are completely committed to safeguarding lives and perhaps, this is why the battle has gone longer than expected,” he added. The LNA relies more on breaching human defenses that on heavy weapons and excessive use of force.

Bashagha is not speaking from his position as minister, but rather as commander of operations and leader of the al-Marsa militia in Misrata city, he added. “He always tries to legitimize Turkey’s intervention in Libya. The latest of these attempts was the claim that the LNA was using chemical weapons during the fighting,” which Ankara would have used to legitimize its interference.

He accused Turkey of undermining the January 12 truce by bringing in large groups of Syrian and non-Syrian mercenaries. Citing sources from the pro-Ankara Syrian National Army, Mismari said more than 17,000 terrorists have been moved from Syria to Libya. Some 1,800 have gone back after being injured in fighting and more than 1,000 have been killed.

On the GNA’s recent capture of western coastal cities, he said the groups that have breached them were previously expelled from Sabratha in 2016 and it is only natural for them to carry out reprisals upon their return. He accused them of setting houses on fire, kidnapping citizens and killing youths right in front of their families.

“These terrorist and criminal actions have sent a strong message that dispels any talk that the GNA enjoys popular support,” he stressed.

“Turkey is waging a direct battle along with thousands of mercenaries,” Mismari continued. “Our forces were recently formed, assembled, organized and structured during the Benghazi battle. Turkey, on the other hand, has a strong army and is a member of NATO. It does not, however, have the principles that will allow it to achieve victory in the battle. We are defending what is right and we believe that victory will be on our side.”

“The battle still stands and we have accepted it from the start. We know our capabilities, but we have a lot of trust in the Libyan people, our real supporters,” he added

On whether the LNA fears Turkey may carry out direct strikes against its command headquarters in the east, Mismari said: “Turkey always threatens to use excessive force against the military. In fact, just days ago we witnessed Turkish military maneuvers near Tripoli. Turkey does not scare us. We know what it wants. We are a national army with a long history of heroics. We will fight to the end. This has been our predecessors’ motto as they struggled against the Italian colonizers.”

Most Viewed

 
 
Interviews

Al-Sharaa to Asharq Al-Awsat: Revolution Ended with Regime’s Fall, Will Not Be Exported

Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday
Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday
TT
TT

Al-Sharaa to Asharq Al-Awsat: Revolution Ended with Regime’s Fall, Will Not Be Exported

Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday
Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday

Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the head of the new Syrian administration, told Asharq Al-Awsat that “the Syrian revolution ended with the regime's fall, and we will not allow it to spread elsewhere.”

He stressed that Syria “will not be used to attack or destabilize any Arab or Gulf country.”

Speaking from the Presidential Palace in Damascus on Thursday, Al-Sharaa said the Syrian opposition’s actions had “set the Iranian project in the region back by 40 years.”

Asked why Syria has yet to send a direct message to the Gulf and major Arab nations, Al-Sharaa responded by saying that his country has much to say to its Arab neighbors.

“Syria had become a platform for Iran to control key Arab capitals, spread wars, and destabilize the Gulf with drugs like Captagon,” he said.

He added: “By removing Iranian militias and closing Syria to Iranian influence, we’ve served the region’s interests—achieving what diplomacy and external pressure could not, with minimal losses.”

Al-Sharaa also criticized efforts to restore ties with the former Syrian regime, including its return to the Arab League in exchange for concessions.

“We were confident this would fail because we knew the regime would not make any genuine concessions or approach these overtures in good faith,” he said.

He claimed that during a meeting with Jordanian officials, the former regime was asked why it insisted on exporting Captagon to Jordan.

“The response was that it would not stop unless sanctions were lifted," Al-Sharaa said, adding “this is not how the regime operates.”

He emphasized that Gulf strategic security has since improved. “Today, the Iranian project in the region has been pushed back 40 years, making the Gulf more secure and stable.”

When asked if he would give reassurances on Syria not becoming a refuge for certain figures, Al-Sharaa dismissed concerns about hosting figures who cause concern for some Arab nations, saying Syria will not become a haven for controversial individuals.

“We are now focused on state-building. The revolution ended with the regime's fall, and we will not allow it to spread elsewhere. Syria will not be a platform to threaten or unsettle any Arab or Gulf country,” he said.

Al-Sharaa stressed that Syria seeks to rebuild and strengthen ties with Arab nations. “Syria is tired of wars and being used for others’ agendas. We want to restore trust and rebuild our country as part of the Arab world.”

He praised the Gulf’s progress, saying: “We admire the development in Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia’s bold plans and vision, and we aspire to achieve similar progress for Syria.”

He added: “There are many opportunities for cooperation, especially in economic and developmental areas, where we can align our goals.”

On Syria’s relationship with its neighbor Lebanon, Al-Sharaa acknowledged concerns raised by Lebanese counterparts about him reaching Damascus, fearing it could strengthen one faction over another in Lebanon.

“We are not seeking any form of dominance over Lebanon,” he said. “We want a relationship based on mutual respect and exchange, without interfering in Lebanon’s internal affairs. We have enough work to do in our own country.”

Al-Sharaa emphasized Syria’s intention to maintain balanced relations, saying he aims “to stand equally with all Lebanese groups, and what pleases them, pleases us.”

Al-Sharaa was asked about a national dialogue conference and a new constitution to guide Syria’s future, and the mechanism that he plans to ensure inclusivity for all Syrians in the process, especially among the base of supporters and fighters who do not necessarily agree with his current moderate speech.

Al-Sharaa acknowledged differing opinions but emphasized he does not want to impose his personal views on Syrians.

“I believe in letting legal experts shape the relationship between citizens, with the law as the guide,” he said.

“Syria is diverse, and it's natural for there to be different opinions. This difference is healthy.”

Al-Sharaa stressed that the recent victory is for all Syrians, not one group over another.

“Even those we thought were loyal to the old regime expressed joy, as they had not been able to openly express their feelings before,” he noted.

He expressed confidence that Syrians, regardless of their background, are aware enough to protect their country.

“My aim is to reach a broad agreement and build a country where the rule of law helps resolve our differences,” Al-Sharaa concluded.

On the complex issue of forced disappearances and individuals missing in prisons and mass graves, Al-Sharaa said the previous regime was a criminal gang, not a political system.

“We fought a brutal group that committed crimes like arrests, forced disappearances, killings, displacement, starvation, chemical attacks, and torture,” he said.

He stressed that while the regime is gone, the focus should be on justice, not revenge.

“We must not approach this with a desire for vengeance,” he said.

Al-Sharaa stated that those responsible for crimes like the Saydnaya prison and chemical attacks must be held accountable.

“Their names are known and they must be pursued,” he said. He also affirmed that families have the right to file complaints against unknown perpetrators.

Al-Sharaa outlined efforts to address the issue of missing persons. “We’ve broken the barriers, and specialized organizations are now helping with this task,” he said.

A new ministry will be set up to track the fate of the missing, both the deceased and the living.

“This will also assist families with documents like death certificates and inheritance,” he added.

He acknowledged the challenge ahead but emphasized the need to uncover the truth. “This is a big task, but we must find the truth,” Al-Sharaa said.

When asked about hosting the interview at the People’s Palace, the same location where Bashar al-Assad once sat, Al-Sharaa responded with a light-hearted laugh.

“To be honest, I don’t feel comfortable at all,” he said. “But this is a place that should be open to the people, a site where they can visit and where children can play in these courtyards.”