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.



Sudanese Army Announces Recapture of Khartoum Refinery

President of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan (AFP)
President of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan (AFP)
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Sudanese Army Announces Recapture of Khartoum Refinery

President of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan (AFP)
President of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan (AFP)

The Sudanese army announced on Saturday that it had regained control of the Al-Jili oil refinery, north of Khartoum, which had been under siege for several days and used as a military base by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for over 21 months.

Chief of Staff General Mohamed Osman Al-Hussein described the victory as a pivotal moment, stating: “This success was achieved through the joint efforts of all military units in the region, culminating at the General Command headquarters, which symbolizes the armed forces and Sudan’s sovereignty.”

Speaking from the General Command in central Khartoum, he said: “Thousands of officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers defended this location.”

Al-Hussein hailed the arrival of reinforcements and their unification with forces at the General Command—besieged by the RSF since the conflict began in April 2023—as “the start of a new era for the armed forces and the Sudanese people, who have stood firmly by their military since the onset of the War of Dignity.”

He added: “This victory will motivate us to liberate every remaining inch of Sudanese territory.”

Army spokesperson Nabil Abdullah confirmed the recapture in a statement on the military’s official Facebook page, writing: “Our forces have fully regained control of the Khartoum refinery.” On Thursday, the refinery suffered a massive fire that destroyed its main storage facilities, with both the army and RSF accusing each other of causing the blaze.

The Sudanese army has recently made significant gains in and around Khartoum. It broke the siege of the Signal Corps base in Bahri and secured the General Command headquarters in central Khartoum. The RSF has not issued any official statement regarding the refinery’s recapture.

Earlier on Saturday, hours before the announcement, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, head of the Transitional Sovereignty Council and commander of the Sudanese army, visited front-line troops near Al-Jili.

Meanwhile, in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, dozens were killed or injured after the RSF reportedly targeted the Saudi Hospital. The El Fasher Resistance Committees, a group of civilian activists, reported that at least 67 people were killed and dozens injured.

According to medical sources, the RSF carried out the attack using a drone on Friday evening, causing “the complete destruction of the hospital’s emergency department,” rendering it entirely non-operational, the group wrote on Facebook.