Turkish National Defense Minister, Hulusi Akar, has issued a stern warning to the Libyan rebel leader, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
Referring to Haftar as a “killer”, Akar warned him and his supporters that they will be regarded as “legitimate targets everywhere” if they attack Turkish elements.
The Minister issued the sentiments during his Sunday visit to the Turkish troops deployed in Libya. Top military officials accompanied him.
Akar added that the Turkish Armed forces are a busy lot charged with protecting the security of 83 million people in Turkey and improving security in friendly countries such as Azerbaijan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and Libya.
Libya has been divided since the ouster and subsequent killing of the former ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Legitimate Libyan Government.
Akar emphasized the Turkish government’s stand that views Government of National Accord (GNA), formed under a 2015 UN initiative, as the legitimate government in Libya. He termed Haftar and his supporters as the main problem that Libya has.
GNA, supported by elders from the Toubou and Tuareg people, is the sole legitimate Libyan executive authority. It comprises 17 ministers, headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. Despite its international recognition, GNA has a weak military force.
GNA operates from a military base in Libya’s capital, Tripoli.
Haftar has been on the lead to rebel against GNA despite agreements between him and Fayez to cease fire peacefully.
Haftar’s Threats
Haftar had earlier threatened to attack Turkish troops in Libya if they continued to offer support to the GNA forces. Consequently, Akar’s remarks act as a response to the threat issued on the Turkish troops.
On April 4, 2019, Haftar had launched a military expedition to assume control of Tripoli from GNA. However, he and his forces were met with resistance forcing him to retreat.
Libyan Minister for Defense, Salahaddin Namroush, said they would not permit Haftar to wreak havoc as he did in 2019. He added that Haftar has continuously violated the terms of the cease-fire agreement. Consequently, the GNA troops are awaiting instructions from Prime Minister Sarraj to respond to the violations.
Namroush has promised no mercy as he condemned Haftar’s forces for committing crimes against humanity in Tarhuna.
Reasons why Haftar wants Turkish forces to withdraw from Libya.
The Turkish parliament has extended the law that allows troops’ deployment to Libya for another 18 months.
Importantly, Turkey’s military assistance accorded to GNA provides GNA with advisers, intelligence, and equipment. All this assistance have crippled Haftar’s efforts to capture Tripoli.
Moreover, In August, Turkey sent military advisers and staff to the Defense Security Cooperation and Training Assistance Advisory Command – established through a memorandum of understanding between Libya and Turkey. Together with assistance from Qatar, Turkey sought to reestablish a regular military in the North African country.
Currently, negotiations are underway for Libyan presidential and parliamentary elections to be conducted on 24 December 2021.
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