Tripoli – Fighter jets of Libyan National Army (LNA) destroyed Libya’s Watiya airbase overnight that was recently occupied by Turkish-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), a military source said on Sunday.
According to the military source reported by Reuters, the strikes were carried out by “unknown aircraft”. However, a resident from the nearby town of Zintan said that the explosions were clearly heard from the direction of the base, and other sources confirm that the strikes were carried out by Khalifa Haftar’s forces of LNA.
An actual #Footage of #LNA Air strikes targeting Turkish air defense systems at the Al-Wataya military base, today. The death toll of Turkish officers inside the base reaches 7 following the 9 air strikes. #Libya ?? #Turkey ?? #ليبيا_تنتصر #LibyaNews pic.twitter.com/0mBeIt1Xeq
— Dr Areej Hussain (@asfoor_jenan) July 5, 2020
UK-based Arabic channel Sky News Arabia also reported that LNA destroyed Turkish deployed air defense systems.
الجيش الوطني الليبي يدمر منظومة دفاع جوي نشرتها #تركيا في #قاعدة_الوطية#ليبيا#شاهد_سكاي pic.twitter.com/DSh4el8MoC
— سكاي نيوز عربية (@skynewsarabia) July 5, 2020
In May, the Watiya airbase was occupied by GNA with its Turkish backers that resulted in the sudden collapse of the 14-months struggle of LNA to seize the capital.
Turkey was playing a vital role with its support for GNA by providing advanced air defence system and drone strikes to cut-off Haftar’s supply lines.
Turkey’s Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was in Tripoli on Friday and Saturday for meetings with the GNA to prepare all necessary steps to establish two bases in Libya, and one of them was Watiya airbase.
According to the sources, MIM-23 Hawk Air Defense System in the Watiya airbase was destroyed, that sent a strong signal to Turkish-involvement.
This is the MIM-23 Hawk air defense system that was destroyed at the base of #AlWatiya #الوطية Military by #LNA this morning. #ليبيا#تركيا #Turkey #LibyaNews pic.twitter.com/G9LsTs20qg
— Dr Areej Hussain (@asfoor_jenan) July 5, 2020
LNA is backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt and France, while GNA is backed by Qatar, Turkey and Italy.
Turkish involvement in Libya has angered local Libyan population of Benghazi city, who burnt the Turkish flags and the pictures of Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan for interfering and sending militias to slaughter the Libyans. It has also angered France and Greece. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has warned of new sanctions on Ankara if it does not halt its intervention.
#Libyans in the #Benghazi city of #Libya ?? burning the #Turkish flags ?? and pictures of #Erdogan for interfering and sending militias to slaughter the Libyans! pic.twitter.com/n5DM8o5CTd
— Zahack Tanvir (@zahacktanvir) June 5, 2020
Analysts suggest that, Turkish president Erdogan manipulated GNA chief Fayaz al-Sarraj into making him sign an agreement to hand over the Watiya airbase to the Turks officially. Moreover, the agreement will give diplomatic immunity to the Turkish army in Libya.
#Erdogan manipulated #Sarraj into making him sign an agreement to hand over Al-Watiya airbase to the Turks officially. Additionally, the agreement gives diplomatic immunity to the Turkish military men who are working in Libya. #Turkey?? #Libya ??#ليبيا_تنتصر #ليبيا_مقبرة_الغزاة pic.twitter.com/8qk6NieS49
— Dr Areej Hussain (@asfoor_jenan) July 5, 2020
Meanwhile, Egypt has openly warned that if Turkish-backed forces were to attempt to occupy Sirte, there would be a direct military intervention.
