Turkey’s direct threat to Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar

Turkey has increased tensions in Libya after it issued a threat to the forces of eastern commander Khalifa Haftar as Turkey holds the majority of power when it comes to backing Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) and it said that any attack against its personnel would be met with force. 

“A war criminal, murderer Haftar and his supporters must know that they will be seen as a legitimate target in case of an attack on Turkish forces” by his troops, Turkish defense minister Hulusi Akar said last week. 

Haftar’s LNA is standing against the GNA in Tripoli. The Turkish defense minister was on a surprise visit to the Turkish troops when he said this. Reports claim that the comments of Akar came after Haftar had earlier said that LNA will drive out the occupier by faith, will, and weapons but did not directly name anyone. 

The Turkish official took it upon himself and Akar during  his visit said, “If they take such a step, they will be unable to find any place to flee to.”

But countries and experts have not appreciated Turkey’s interference in Libya to this extent as it contributes to increasing in violence in the already struggling African country. Libyan’s do not support GNA and are completely against them taking over but Turkey is blindly supporting them for selfish reasons. Ankara has now become one of the largest contributors to terrorism in Tripoli. 

But Akar’s visit is not limited to threats and warnings. He has come to Libya to launch military cooperation projects between the two countries. Last week only the Turkish Parliaments approved a motion that allows deployment of military forces in Libya by 18 months. 

Some countries stand with LNA while others support GNA due to which a cease-fire agreement was signed in October this year where the two parties will be conducting an UN-sponsored political dialogue so that unbiased elections are held in coming years. This move will set the stage to end the ongoing Libyan conflict.