Jets hit Libya’s al-Watiya air base, where Turkey can build a base, sources say

BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – Fighter jets attacked overnight at an air base that was recently recaptured by the internationally recognized Libyan government from the eastern forces with the help of Turkey, said a military source with the eastern forces and a nearby resident. .

The attacks were carried out by “unknown aircraft,” said the military source with the Libyan National Army (LNA) of the eastern-based commander, Khalifa Haftar.

A resident in the nearby town of Zintan said explosions were heard from the direction of the base.

The recapture of Watiya in May by the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli marked the beginning of a sudden collapse of the LNA’s 14-month assault to seize the capital and its retreat along the coast towards the new lines of the front.

Turkey’s support was vital to the GNA in pushing back the LNA offensive with advanced air defenses and drone strikes that attacked Khalifa’s supply lines and troop build-up.

A Turkish source said last month that Turkey was in talks with the GNA to establish two bases in Libya, one of them at Watiya, the largest air base in western Libya.

Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar was in Tripoli to meet with the GNA on Friday and Saturday and Akar vowed to do whatever is necessary to help him, a statement from the Turkish defense ministry said.

The LNA is backed by the United Arab Emirates, Russia, and Egypt. During its advance to Tripoli last year, the LNA was assisted by Egyptian and UAE air strikes.

Last month, the United States said that Russia had dispatched at least 14 MiG29 and Su-24 fighter jets to an LNA base through Syria, where its marks from the Russian air force were removed.

Turkish involvement in Libya also angered France and Greece, and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned of new sanctions against Ankara.

The GNA and LNA are now mobilizing forces on the new fronts between the cities of Misrata and Sirte. Egypt warned that any Turkish-backed effort to take Sirte, which the LNA captured in January, could lead its army to intervene directly.

(This story corrects the change from Minister of Foreign Affairs to Minister of Defense in the tenth paragraph)