Turkey and Libyan National Army exchange threats as the Turkish role in Libya escalates

ANKARA / BENGHAZI – Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Hami Aksoy warned the forces of Libyan General Khalifa Haftar against any attack on its interests in Libya on Thursday following a statement by the commander of Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) Air Force that Turkish forces and assets in Libya would be considered legitimate targets.

Aksoy warned that if Turkish interests were targeted by the LNA it would suffer severe consequences.

In a video posted on social media, the commander of LNA’s Air Force, Saqr al-Jaroushi, responded that all Turkish positions and interests in the country were legitimate targets.

The mutual threats point to a growing risk of a wider escalation in Libya. Turkish support for the Government of National Accord (GNA) – the LNA’s opposing side in the civil war – has led to a recent turning of fortunes. The LNA have lost an alarming amount of material to Turkish drone strikes recently, including the loss of a serious of advanced Russian PANTSIR air defense systems. The last few days have seen high profile territorial losses as well, with the LNA losing control of a strategic airbase south of Tripoli.

Analysts say this raises questions about the extent to which the LNA is able to continue its year-long offensive to wrest control of Tripoli, without obtaining new support from Russia, the UAE, and Egypt.

Stephanie Williams, U.N. Special Envoy for Libya, warned on Tuesday that the massive influx of weapons, equipment, and mercenaries on both sides would result in the intensification and expansion of the war.

The Foreign Ministers of Russia and Turkey spoke by telephone on Thursday to discuss an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of the political process to avoid dividing the country.