New Sanctions on Turkey for Violating Libya Arms Embargo

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar (L) arrive to make a joint statement in Varosha, in the Turkish-held north of the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus, on November 15, 2020. (AFP)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar (L) arrive to make a joint statement in Varosha, in the Turkish-held north of the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus, on November 15, 2020. (AFP)
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New Sanctions on Turkey for Violating Libya Arms Embargo

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar (L) arrive to make a joint statement in Varosha, in the Turkish-held north of the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus, on November 15, 2020. (AFP)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar (L) arrive to make a joint statement in Varosha, in the Turkish-held north of the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus, on November 15, 2020. (AFP)

A week has passed since the crisis of the Turkish ship that German troops tried to search on suspicion of carrying arms to Libya, but the crisis doesn’t seem to be abating.

The European Union has satellite images as evidence on the ship’s involvement in breaching the arms embargo on Libya.

EU-Irini military analysts had previously spotted military aircraft being unloaded in the Libyan port of Misrata in satellite images, the German news magazine Der Spiegel reported.

Suspicious cargo was again sighted in November while the ship was docked in the Turkish port of Ambarli, said the confidential EU report's authors.

Although the Foreign Ministry in Ankara accused the EU of an “unacceptable” approach, the latter confirmed that there were enough reasons to inspect the ship.

German media outlets quoted European officials as saying that they suspected Roseline-A and put it under surveillance. They added that the vessel has moved between Turkish and Libyan ports eight times since the beginning of the year.

Der Spiegel reported that the EU countries are pushing for new sanctions against violators of the arms embargo on Libya, hinting at Turkey.

The EU imposed sanctions on three companies – one Turkish, one Kazakh, and one Jordanian – for breaching the embargo.

The European leaders are expected to call for sanctions, decrying Erdogan’s visit earlier this month to the breakaway Turkish Cypriot north of the island of Cyprus.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the Cypriot coastal town of Varosha on Thursday, calling on the European Council to impose sanctions on Turkey.



Unidentified Drones Destroy Iraqi Military Radar Systems

Iraq’s Taji military base (File Photo)
Iraq’s Taji military base (File Photo)
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Unidentified Drones Destroy Iraqi Military Radar Systems

Iraq’s Taji military base (File Photo)
Iraq’s Taji military base (File Photo)

Iraq’s Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, has ordered the formation of a committee to investigate a series of drone attacks targeting military radar systems at two separate bases, officials said.

The strikes hit a radar installation at the Taji military camp, north of Baghdad, and another at the Imam Ali airbase in the southern province of Dhi Qar. A third suspected drone attack reportedly struck a base near Baghdad International Airport, also housing radar systems, according to local media reports.

The incidents came shortly after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, though it remained unclear whether the attacks were connected to the development.

Sudani said on Tuesday his government would not tolerate any act – internal or external – that threatens national security, vowing a firm and decisive response.

“We will not show leniency toward any aggression that harms the security of Iraq,” Sudani said during a cabinet meeting, according to state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA).

“Our response will be resolute and strong,” added Sudani.

He confirmed that Iraqi military bases were targeted in what he described as a “cowardly and treacherous” attack using explosive-laden suicide drones.

“Our armed forces and air defenses responded swiftly to other attempted attacks on different bases, successfully intercepting and downing the drones,” Sudani said, without elaborating on the origin of the attacks.

The prime minister also welcomed the recently announced ceasefire between Israel and Iran, calling it a “positive step,” and expressed hope that the truce would be “solid and lasting, not fragile.”

Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, also described the drone strikes as “cowardly and treacherous,” saying the attacks caused significant damage to radar infrastructure.

In a statement, al-Numan said a swarm of small, explosive-laden drones had struck the military installations in Taji and Dhi Qar. He confirmed there were no casualties.

Images circulating on social media showed flames engulfing the radar station at the Taji base.

“Our forces were able to thwart additional drone attacks targeting four other locations,” al-Numan added, noting that air defenses successfully downed the incoming UAVs before they reached their targets.

All of the sites targeted in the recent drone attacks were fully operated by Iraqi security forces, dismissing speculation of foreign involvement.

“All targeted locations are exclusively Iraqi military sites, overseen and operated by officers and personnel from our heroic security forces,” said al-Numan.

Following the coordinated attacks, Sudani ordered the creation of a high-level technical and intelligence committee to investigate the incidents, identify those responsible, and fully track the findings of the probe.

“These cowardly criminal acts will not go unpunished,” al-Numan said. “Our armed forces remain the unshakable shield of Iraq, defending its people, land, and sovereignty.”

Military sources revealed that the first drone strike destroyed a TPS-77 radar system at the Taji military base. A second attack targeted an AN/TPQ-36 counter-battery radar at the Imam Ali base.

Local media also reported, citing unverified sources, that a third drone targeted a US-made radar system at Victoria Base near Baghdad International Airport, which has previously hosted US troops. Authorities have yet to confirm this claim.

The strikes come amid heightened regional tensions following a US-brokered ceasefire announcement between Israel and Iran.

While no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, the nature and precision of the strikes have raised concerns about a potential escalation.