Libya’s National Army destroys 3 Turkish-tanks west of Sirte

CAIRO – 27 July 2020: The Libyan National Army destroyed 3 Turkish-tanks in the early hours of Monday morning, as it was trying to advance in west of Sirte, however Libya’s Air Forces destroyed them during raids.

Libya's National Army spokesperson Ahmed al-Mismary said in statements to Al Arabiya Sunday that Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is gathering weapons and mercenaries and transferring them into Libya.

He added in his statements That Libya’s National Army is supporting the defense lines at west of Sirte to stop any possible attack.

On July 24, Mismary posted a video on his twitter official account, showing a group of new Syrian-national mercenaries on board of Libyan Afriqiyah Airways flight heading to Misurata.

“Turkey is transferring new batches of Syrian mercenaries to Libya’s Misurata in a sever challenge to the international de-escalation demands and cease fire” Mismary tweeted, adding that Ankara is breaching the international and Arab decrees which prevent transferring mercenaries and fighters into Libya.

“Turkey supports terrorism and crime in Libya. It works on achieving its dream of controlling Libya and its capabilities and wealth” Mismary said, concluding “the world is watching, Turkey expands”.

On July 9, Mismary said that total number of mercenaries Turkey transferred into Libya reached 17,000 terrorists, including 1,000 mercenaries transferred just during one week in July.

He added in statements to dmc privet channel, that Turkey dose not announce its military losses in Libya; However, the army is always ready to stop all Turkish attacks.

Mismary noted that western Sirte is still under control of the Libyan National Army, However, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ‘is trying to escalate the situation in Libya by sending mercenaries, weapons and maritime vessels.

In another statement to Sada al-Balad channel, Mismary stressed that ‘Erdogan dreams by controlling over the Libyan oil will never happen.

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned earlier July that foreign interference in Libya’s war has reached “unprecedented levels”. He urged key players and their backers to unblock the political stalemate and agree to a cease-fire and peace talks.

Guterres described the situation in Libya as ‘gloomy’ according to AP, noting that between April 1 and June 30 there were at least 102 civilian deaths and 254 civilians wounded in Libya, “a 172% increase compared to the first quarter of 2020.”