Turkish UAVs target town southeast Tripoli: Libyan National Army

CAIRO – 1 July 2019: The Libyan National Army has announced that Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeted the Libyan town of Tarhuna, southeast of Tripoli, in conjunction with Libya’s warnings to Turkey against acts threatening Libyan nationals.

Tarhuna is a prominent city hosting the Libyan armed forces east the country. The unmanned aircrafts are said to be operated remotely by Turkish officers in Tripoli.

Aguila Saleh, the president of the Libyan House of Representatives since 2014, has recently announced a state of mobilization and alert across the Libyan territories in response to the Turkish threats to Libya.

The Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned on Monday the Turkish government against any act that would threaten the safety of the Libyan citizens and properties inside and outside the country. The ministry demanded Ankara not to interfere in the Libyan internal affairs, and to halt its support to terrorist militias and armed groups.

The Foreign Ministry further called on the International community to take responsibility of investigating crimes carried out by Turkish-backed militias, especially in Gharyan, Gharghour, Ruwaymi, Barak al-Shati, Derna, Benghazi, Bani Waled, Tazirbu, and all Libyan cities.

A spokesman for Libyan National Army Ahmed el-Mesmari stressed on Sunday that no militias or terrorists will be allowed in Libya, saying military operations will continue until all terrorists are eradicated, reported MENA.

He unveiled evidence proving Turkey and Qatar's support of militias in Tripoli, saying the Libyan army will not tolerate such interference.

Turkey supporting militias in Libya

The Libyan National Army has accused the Turkish regime of supporting terrorist groups in Libya.

The army announced in a statement that the Libyan National Army is fighting against armed terrorists on Libyan territories, while a Turkish logistic support has been offered to terrorist elements for years.

The statement added that the Turkish support has evolved to a direct interference, using military aircrafts to transport mercenaries, as well as ships carrying weapons, armored vehicles and ammunition to support terrorism in Libya.

The Libyan National Army has released instructions to air forces to target Turkish ships and boats inside regional waters.

The interim Libyan government demanded to fire all Turkish companies working in Libya, end their contracts, boycott Turkish products and industries, and suspend civil flights from and to Turkey via Libyan airlines in response to the Turkish terrorist aggression.