On 4 July 2020, forces of the Libyan National Army (LNA) launched airstrikes on Al-Watiya Air Base in the desert southwest of Tripoli, destroying Turkish military equipment, including anti-air defences, sent from Turkey to the Government of National Accord (GNA).
Airstrike
This attack destroyed the MIM-23 Hawk air defence systems and the Koral system just two days after Turkey deployed them in the air base.[1] The airstrike hit at least nine targets at the base. local Libyan Newspaper Libya Akhbar claimed although without confirmation that 6 Turkish servicemen were killed.[2][3] Turkey remained a major supporter of the GNA, supplying drones and deploying thousands of Syrian mercenaries, including militants affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.[4] Turkish officials condemned the airstrikes and vowed "retribution". One Turkish official said the aircraft were likely to be Dassault Mirage fighters belonging to the United Arab Emirates.[5] Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said Egypt "will not allow the conflict in Libya to cross the Sirte line" and that "with regard to Egypt’s security, al-Jufra is a red line that we will not allow any force to cross".[6]
References
- ^ "Destruction of Turkish air defense systems at Al-Watiya Airbase! - Islamic World News". 2020-07-05. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
- ^ "French Rafale Jets Allegedly Attack and Destroyed Turkish Air Defense System In Al-Watiya Airbase". 8 July 2020.
- ^ NightWatch (2020-07-07). "France or Egypt: Who raided Turkey's air defences in Libya?". EgyptWatch. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ^ Magdy, Samy (5 July 2020). "Airstrikes hit Libya base held by Turkey-backed forces". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 10 July 2020.
- ^ "Turkey vows 'retribution' for attack on its positions in Libya's al-Watiya". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
- ^ Guesmi, Jemai (6 July 2020). "Rafale attacks on Turkish targets in al-Watiya airbase: Egyptian or French?". The Arab Weekly.
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