The Turkey government on Sunday warned Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar against attacking Turkish interests or its diplomatic missions in Tripoli or elsewhere after positions near Turkish and Italian missions were hit earlier this week, reported Reuters.
Haftar’s attacks targeted diplomatic missions, including the Turkish Embassy in Tripoli, the Mitiga Airport, civilian airplanes preparing to take off, and other civilian infrastructure constituted a war crime.
“If our missions and our interests in Libya are targeted, we will deem Hafar’s forces legitimate targets,” Turkey’s foreign ministry said in an official statement. “It is unacceptable for the United Nations to remain silent against this carnage any longer.”
Haftar and his Libyan National Army (LNA) have been fighting to topple the internationally-recognized government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj.
Turkey is supporting the internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), which has been trying to fend off an offensive by Haftar’s forces. The Turkish government has also signed a military cooperation deal with the GNA and deployed its forces and equipment, including armed drones that have helped repel Haftar’s offensive.
The Turkish foreign ministry’s statement stressed Turkey will continue to support the legitimate government and its institutions in Libya.
The countries which provide military, financial and political support to Haftar are also responsible for the cruelty and instability in the country, the statement added. Haftar’s forces are backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia.
The development follows rocket attacks by Haftar’s forces on the Mitiga International Airport in the capital Tripoli and surrounding areas of Souq Al-Jumua, Bab Benghashir and Abu Salim. At least four civilians, including a five-year-old girl, were killed in the attacks on Saturday,
Saturday’s attacks came hours after the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) condemned the indiscriminate attacks on civilians in Tripoli, saying the attacks “may amount to war crimes.”
