LNA Spox: Turkey sent 25K mercenaries to Libya

CAIRO - 17  July 2020: Around 25,000 militias and mercenaries have entered Libya from Turkey, which is threatening the entire region's security, said  Libyan National Army Spokesman Ahmed Al-Mesmari.

In remarks to the DMC Evening talk show on DMC channel, Mesmari said that Turkey sends militias from different nationalities to Syria and Libya through Africa.

“He [Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan] still sends Syrian militias to Libya. There are elements, who received high-level training, went to Libya.

Turkey is preparing now to attack Sirte city and the oil crescent area,” Mesmari said.

In a press conference held in Benghazi on Thursday, Mesmari said Misrata and its airport and harbour have become a base for receiving Turkish reinforcements, asserting that Ankara is working to turn Misrata into an administrative base for moving its elements towards the oil crescent region.

He said Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan is trying to make Okba Ben Nafi Air Base in Watiya a centre for launching any military operations through building air defence systems and reinforce the presence of arms and ammunition, adding that he has seized military and civilian installations to house the elements of the Turkish army personnel.

He asserted that Libyan army elements are stationed in their previous positions and are detecting the movements of militias affiliated to the National Accord Government, noting that the opponent's side is trying to spread rumours on the withdrawal of the army from their positions in western Sirte.

MENA contributed to this story