The Libyan National Army intensified Sunday its airstrikes against pro-Government of National Accord militias in Tripoli and Misrata.
In a statement, the LNA said that its raids destroyed a plan to build a Turkish base near the air force academy in Misrata.
“The construction of a military base for a foreign country such as Turkey with its poor history with the Libyan people is great treason against the independence of the nation,” it added.
The development is another crime committed by the Misrata militias and their backers, the Muslim Brotherhood, it stated.
The LNA will not tolerate such actions, it warned.
The army struck hangars used by Turkish drones, saying: “Misrata city’s contribution to the war effort against the operation to liberate Tripoli makes it a legitimate aerial target.”
The LNA had launched an operation to cleanse Tripoli of pro-GNA militias in April.
The army said Misrata will no longer be a target once it abandons its support to the militias.
Images circulated online showed a Turkish military base in Misrata that was housing drones. Sources said the facility, which was neutralized, was being set up as a possible permanent Turkish base similar to its positions in Syria.
Separately, the United Nations mission in Libya condemned on Sunday the LNA strikes against the airport of Zuwara, a town west of Tripoli.
“The mission renews its condemnation of the attacks conducted by the LNA forces against Zuwara airport, which cause serious damage,” it said, adding that the runway had been damaged.
Earlier this month, the LNA said it had twice bombed the airport, saying it had targeted hangars used by Turkish drones.
The UN mission said it had visited Zuwara airport and found no military infrastructure or assets.
