Turkey’s heavy military activity in western Libya in recent hours has pushed the Libyan National Army (LNA), commanded by Khalifa Haftar, to declare that it was in “state of war” with Ankara.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry had threatened to attack the LNA forces and deem them legitimate targets after they seized a Turkish cargo vessel that was headed to the western city of Misrata earlier this week.
LNA military sources confirmed local media reports of heavy Turkish overflights above the regions of Abugrein and al-Wishka west of the city of Sirte. Witnesses described “unusual” flight activity at the air college in Misrata.
LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari said Libya was in a “state of war with Turkey,” blaming its President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for escalating tensions over his continued weapons shipments to the North African country.
He said the seized vessel was head to Misrata in violation of the arms embargo imposed on Libya.
Meanwhile, the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord vowed to continue to implement its military agreements with Ankara in what was seen as a direct threat to the UN-sponsored ceasefire reached in November.
GNA spokesman Mohammed Qanunu said: “We are committed today more than ever to the agreements, especially if the ceasefire is not respected and peace is not restored in Libya.”
GNA Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha met with Turkish Ambassador to Libya Sarhan Aksan to discuss security cooperation between their countries.
