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LNA Forces Go on High Alert amid Concerns over Possible Turkish Attacks

A picture from the graduation ceremony of GNA forces in Tajoura near Tripoli in November 2020 (AFP)
A picture from the graduation ceremony of GNA forces in Tajoura near Tripoli in November 2020 (AFP)
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LNA Forces Go on High Alert amid Concerns over Possible Turkish Attacks

A picture from the graduation ceremony of GNA forces in Tajoura near Tripoli in November 2020 (AFP)
A picture from the graduation ceremony of GNA forces in Tajoura near Tripoli in November 2020 (AFP)

The Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, launched attacks against the Government of National Accord (GNA) targets in Ubari and Sabha cities, south of Libya.

It also announced taking control over the headquarters of the military region in Sabha and storming Ubari’s Tendi military camp.

GNA sources, however, announced thwarting the attack, stressing that LNA forces withdrew to the city’s outskirts.

The sudden developments might disrupt the course of the political process led by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSML).

Also, LNA's Karama Operations Room requested Saturday all its military units in the strategic city of Sirte to remain on high alert, in anticipation of any possible attack by the Turkish-backed GNA forces.

LNA spokesman Major General Ahmed al-Mismari urged citizens to report “any presence of Turkish militias, mercenaries and invaders.”

Commander of the West Sirte Liberation Operations Room Major General Ahmed Salem ordered that all officers and conscripts be banned from leaving for holidays, as well as preventing them from leaving their workplace until further notice.

Salem did not provide further details over the decision.

However, LNA military sources said the measures come after armed militias and Turkish forces were reportedly mobilizing in several GNA sites.

Meanwhile, Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya Stephanie Williams hosted on Friday a virtual meeting to inform the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum ( LPDF) participants of the results of the voting process that was held earlier to select a proposal for a selection mechanism for the unified executive authority.

The meeting was held following the conclusion of the two-day consultation process that took place on Dec.3-4, during which LPDF members cast votes to select one of the presented proposals.

Williams said 71 LPDF members participated in the process; one member was unable to participate for health-related reasons and three members abstained.

She pointed out that 39 LPDF members voted for the second proposal, 24 LPDF members voted for the third proposal, while eight 8 LPDF members voted for proposal number 10.

She also reaffirmed UNSMIL’s commitment to and respect for the decision of the LPDF members taken during the recent in-person meeting in Tunisia, according to which decisions should be reached on a consensual basis.

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Arab World

Iran Warns US, Israel over Syria, May Send ‘Advisors’ to Aleppo

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks at parliament. (Iranian presidency)
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks at parliament. (Iranian presidency)
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Iran Warns US, Israel over Syria, May Send ‘Advisors’ to Aleppo

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks at parliament. (Iranian presidency)
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks at parliament. (Iranian presidency)

Iran warned on Sunday the United States and Israel against exploiting the situation in Syria, hinting that it may send “advisory” forces from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards to Aleppo city if the field developments demand it.

Speaking at a parliament session, President Masoud Pezeshkian called on Islamic countries to “resolve the problems in Syria” and prevent foreign meddling in its affairs.

“We hope countries in the region won’t allow the US and Israel to exploit internal conflicts inside any Islamic country,” he added.

“The parties expanding the war and destruction are the same ones preaching about peace, human rights and humanity,” he remarked.

On Israel’s war on Gaza and Lebanon, Pezeshkian noted: “Israel has killed tens of thousands of children and the parties preaching human rights have stood idly by.”

“We don’t want war or destruction. We have exerted efforts to resolve our problems with neighbors and we have worked on improving our ties with various countries,” he went on to say.

Iran has no ambitions in other countries, he declared. “We believe that the countries of the region can ensure security in the region without the need for foreign powers,” he added.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, meanwhile, described the developments in Syria as a “Zionist-American plot aimed at destabilizing the region” given the timing of the unrest soon after the ceasefire in Lebanon took effect.

“It is urgent for the reasonable voices in the region to thwart this dangerous conspiracy and confront the terrorists in Syria and the region,” he demanded, warning the US and its ally Israel that “using the terrorism card will come back to haunt them.”

MP Esmaeil Kousari said Iran may send “advisory” forces to Syria, but this depends on the developments on the ground and the “decisions of the Israeli leadership.”

Iran has often called its combat operations in Syria as “advisory” roles.

Kousari, who is also a member of the IRGC, said the attacks in Aleppo are an “American and Israeli plan to sever the Iranian supply route to Hezbollah” in Lebanon.

He noted that it was no coincidence that the attack took place soon after the ceasefire in Lebanon was declared, predicting the Israel will launch a new offensive in Lebanon as soon as the 60-day truce is over.

He called on the forces allied to Iran to fight the opposition factions in Syria to prevent them from forming permanent bases in Aleppo and northern Syria. “They must be defeated to ensure the link between Syria and Hezbollah remains,” he urged.

He acknowledged that the number of Iranian advisors in Syria had dropped significantly in recent years, saying that had it been greater, they would have acted immediately against the opposition fighters.

Iranian-backed militias entered Syria overnight from Iraq and were heading to northern Syria to beef up beleaguered Syrian army forces battling opposition fighters, according to two Syrian army sources, reported Reuters on Monday.

Dozens of Iran-aligned Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) fighters from Iraq also crossed into Syria through a military route near Al-Bukamal crossing, a senior Syrian army source told Reuters.

Iran sent thousands of Shiite militias to Syria during the Syrian war and, alongside Russia with its air power, enabled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to crush the opposition and regain most of his territory.

Israel has also in recent months stepped up its strikes on Iranian bases in Syria while also waging an offensive in Lebanon which it says has weakened Hezbollah and its military capabilities.