LNA spokesperson: Turkey smuggling Syrian mercenaries from Libya to Europe
BENGHAZI, Libya / Europe – In a public statement, spokesperson for the Libyan National Army (LNA) Major General Ahmed al-Mismari accused Turkey of smuggling about 1,000 Syrian mercenaries from Libya to Europe, specifically Italy, indicating that this smuggling operation took place in areas controlled by the Turkish-allied Fayez al-Sarraj militias.
In a press conference held in Benghazi in eastern Libya, al-Mismari stated that, “About 1,000 Syrian mercenaries who fled via Zuwara and Sabratah towards Europe last week,” noting that these areas are under the control of the Turkish-allied Fayez al-Sarraj militias.
Al-Mismari explained that this smuggling operation took place when the Syrian mercenaries used boats provided by a European country in support of the Libyan Coast Guard. “The boats are now being used for illegal immigration by the Syrian mercenaries,” he added.
Al-Mismari also referred to reports that 483 Syrians fled from Libya to Europe on Tuesday alone.
It is worth mentioning that Europe had warned against the escalation of illegal immigration wave across the sea, indicating that there may be terrorist elements among this immigration which may cause troubles in the European continent.