Turkey Prepares to Set Up Base in Misrata

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the 6th Ordinary Convention in Antalya province, Turkey, March 3, 2018. (Presidential handout photo)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the 6th Ordinary Convention in Antalya province, Turkey, March 3, 2018. (Presidential handout photo)
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Turkey Prepares to Set Up Base in Misrata

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the 6th Ordinary Convention in Antalya province, Turkey, March 3, 2018. (Presidential handout photo)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the 6th Ordinary Convention in Antalya province, Turkey, March 3, 2018. (Presidential handout photo)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is conducting talks with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) for the possible use of the Misrata naval base and Al-Watiya airbase.

Turkish Naval Forces Commander Adm. Adnan Ozbal paid a visit to Libya and met Libyan Army's Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Sharif. They discussed the latest developments in Libya and the possibility of using Al-Watiya airbase and in addition to inaugurating a naval base in Misrata.

On November 27, Ankara and GNA signed two separate pacts, one that encompasses military cooperation and the other maritime boundaries of the two countries in the Eastern Mediterranean.

A Turkish business delegation is set to visit Libya within two weeks to assess how Turkey’s companies and banks can help rebuild the war-torn country and secure its energy needs, sources told Reuters.

Politicians could join the upcoming trip by what they called a “committee” of business representatives. They will craft a business plan and initially focus on meeting Libya’s energy needs and re-building and renewing its infrastructure, sources added.

Earlier, a senior Turkish delegation visited the GNA on June 18 to discuss the Libyan updates and the return of Turkish firms in Libya as well as energy and reconstruction projects.

Also, Erdogan expressed support to the "legitimate government" in Libya that is seeking the country’s unity. The president was speaking to the members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) via videoconference.

He added that Turkey will not leave the fate of the Libyan people at the mercy of putschists and will continue to act in line with international law.



Israel Seals off the Occupied West Bank

Palestinians walk by the closed Deir Sharaf checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians walk by the closed Deir Sharaf checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
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Israel Seals off the Occupied West Bank

Palestinians walk by the closed Deir Sharaf checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians walk by the closed Deir Sharaf checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)

Israel closed all checkpoints to the Israeli-occupied West Bank Friday as the country attacked Iran, a military official said Friday.

The move sealed off entry and exit to the territory, meaning that Palestinians could not leave without special coordination.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity in line with military recommendations.

Around 3 million Palestinians live in the West Bank under Israeli military rule.

With the world’s attention focused on Gaza, Israeli military operations in the West Bank have grown in size, frequency and intensity.

The crackdown has also left tens of thousands unemployed, as they can no longer work the mostly menial jobs in Israel that paid higher wages.

Israel launched a wave of strikes across Iran on Friday that targeted its nuclear program and military sites, killing at least two top military officers and raising the prospect of an all-out war between the two bitter adversaries. It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq.

The strikes came amid simmering tensions over Iran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program and appeared certain to trigger a reprisal. In its first response, Iran fired more than 100 drones at Israel. Israel said the drones were being intercepted outside its airspace, and it was not immediately clear whether any got through.

Israeli leaders cast the attack as necessary to head off an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs, though it remains unclear how close the country is to achieving that.