Turkey To Hold Massive Naval Exercise Off Libyan Coast In 'Message To Egypt'

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Guler get information on works at Combat Operations Centre in TCG Giresun as they visit Turkish Naval Task Group's ship performing duty in the Central Mediterranean upon their arrival with a military helicopter from Mitiga Airport in Tripoli, Libya on 4 July 2020. [Arif Akdoğan - Anadolu Agency]

Middle East Monitor: Turkey announces naval drills off Libya coast

The Turkish Ministry of National Defence has announced that large-scale naval exercises off the Libyan coast will take place soon.

According to the official statement, the expected manoeuvres will be called “Naftex”, adding that the maritime exercises will take place off the Libyan coast in three different regions: Barbaros, Turgutreis and Chaka Bey.

The drills, which are designated to prepare the navy forces for a potential war east of the Mediterranean, will occur soon in light of recent escalations of tensions in Libya.

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Update: Turkey To Hold Massive Naval Exercise Off Libyan Coast In 'Message To Egypt' (Zero Hedge)

WNU Editor: Turkey is already threatening to expand the Libyan war (see below).

Following the airstrikes on the Turkish base of Al-Watiya, #Turkey oficially announced that it will violate #Egypt's red lines and attack #Jufra and #Sirte, these areas control almost all of #Libya's oil fields, a regional war is expected. pic.twitter.com/Efmsh7jny1

— Nic 🇬🇷 (@NicAthens) July 6, 2020

Turkey Says Will Begin Oil Exploration Off The Coast Of Libya Despite Greece, Egypt, Cyprus Outrage

Turkey's drilling ship Fatih is anchored off the Tasucu Port in Silifke district of Mersin, Turkey on 1 February 2020. [Mustafa Ünal Uysal - Anadolu Agency]

OilPrice.com: Turkey’s Dangerous Energy Play Is Putting The Entire Region At Risk

In the world of energy geopolitics and economics are closely linked to each other. The exploitation of oil and gas reserves is a major source of income for energy-rich countries and therefore tension and competition. In some cases, it’s difficult to distinguish whether political or economic goals are being pursued. The Eastern Mediterranean has become a theatre for power politics which has its origin in energy exploration and production activities.

Before the current global health crisis erupted, the discovery of major gas fields was exciting news in several capitals across the region. Egypt has already started production at its Zohr field while Israel's Leviathan provides much-needed gas to a country that's been lacking significant energy resources for most of its history. Turkey, however, enviously watched discovery after discovery in the backyard of its political adversaries.

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WNU Editor: Egypt is responding .... Egypt announces international anti-Turkey alliance (Al-Monitor).

More News On Turkey Saying Will Begin Oil Exploration Off The Coast Of Libya

Turkey says may begin oil exploration under Libya deal in 3-4 months -- Middle East Monitor
Turkey says may begin oil exploration under Libya deal in three-four months -- Reuters
Turkey Begins East Mediterranean Oil Exploration Despite Greece, Egypt, Cyprus Outrage -- Zero Hedge
Turkey’s two-pronged gambit in Libya -- Yasar Yakis, Arab News

Turkey Warns Libyan Strongman Haftar That It Will Target His Forces

A destroyed tank belonging to the eastern forces led by Khalifa Haftar in Gharyan, south of Tripoli, Libya.

DW: Turkey warns Libya's Haftar of military escalation

The Turkish government said it would consider forces loyal to general Khalifa Haftar "legitimate targets" if they didn't stop attacks on diplomatic missions. The UN has warned that Haftar's may have committed war crimes.

The Turkish government on Sunday warned Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar against attacking diplomatic missions after positions near Turkish and Italian missions were hit earlier this week.

"If our missions and our interests in Libya are targeted, we will deem Hafar's forces legitimate targets," said a statement from Turkey's foreign ministry. "It is unacceptable for the United Nations to remain silent against this carnage any longer."

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More News On the Libyan War

Turkey threatens to target Haftar's forces in Libya if attacks persist -- Reuters
Turkey Will Deem LNA Forces ‘Legitimate Targets’ if Attacks Against Its Interests Continue -- Sputnik
Turkey warns Haftar as rockets rain on Tripoli, kill four and damage airport -- Middle East Eye
Massive bombardment hits Tripoli as water supplies threatened -- Reuters
Libya's GNA launches counterattack after deadly rocket barrage -- Al Jazeera
U.S. Accuses Russia Of Inflaming Libya Conflict, Sending Syrian Fighters -- RFE

Turkey Deploys Military Forces, Equipment, And Frigates To Tripoli, Libya

Both of them are there. pic.twitter.com/Y7pKdz1SnT

— Bosphorus Naval News (@Saturn5_) January 28, 2020

Warzone/The Drive: Two Turkish Frigates Appear Off Libya Amid Reports Of Troops And Armor Landing Ashore

These developments point to a major escalation in Turkey's involvement in the conflict following abortive attempts to broker a ceasefire.

Weeks after the Turkish government announced plans to send various forces to Libya to support that country's internationally recognized government, there are now indications that those deployments are well underway. Two Turkish Navy Gabya class frigates have appeared off the coast of Tripoli, the official Libyan capital, and there are reports emerging now that Turkish troops and heavy armor are arriving in that city, too.

Pictures showing the two warships sailing together near Tripoli first emerged online on Jan. 28, 2020. Unconfirmed reports about the arrival of Turkish forces began to appear on social media hours later. On Jan. 5, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said in a televised interview that an unspecified number of Turkish troops would be heading to Libya soon and, the day after, revealed that members of the country's National Intelligence Organization, also referred to by the Turkish acronym MIT, were already in the country.

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More News On The Libyan War

Turkey deploys warships and air defense systems to Libya: LNA -- AMN
Syrian mercenaries lured to fight for Turkey in Libya -- Ahval
Libya’s Warring Factions Resume Fighting in Threat to Cease-Fire -- The Wall Street Journal
Pentagon: Turkey’s deployment to Libya threatens escalation -- Al-Monitor
Libya: UN envoy slams violations of pledge to end foreign meddling -- AFP
U.N. shuts refugee center in Libya's capital as truce crumbles -- Reuters
UN halts Tripoli refugee centre operations over safety fears -- AFP
Libya heading towards ‘full-blown’ war despite ceasefire -- The Independent
How Outside Powers Like Russia and Turkey Are Fueling the Libyan Civil War -- Emadeddin Badi, WPR
Russian mercenaries, a CIA-linked general and lots of oil: Explaining Libya’s war -- CNBC

Turkey Is Offering $2,000 Salaries And Turkish Nationality For Syrians To Fight In Libya

Arif Hudaverdi Yaman / Anadolu Agency

Asia Times: Syrians enlist in Libya war day after Berlin talks

Fighters offered $2,000 salaries and Turkish nationality as Ankara seeks to bolster interests in Libya.

On Monday, less than 24 hours after world powers agreed to halt arms shipments to Libya’s warring sides, men in northern Syria were still signing up to fight for the Turkish-backed government in Tripoli.

“The registration of fighters to go to Libya is continuing until this moment,” an Asia Times correspondent in Syria reported Monday afternoon, after visiting one of three recruitment centers in the Turkish-dominated northern countryside of Aleppo.

Approximately 800 Syrian men are currently preparing to go to Libya, an official with Syria’s opposition Ministry of Defense told Asia Times on condition of anonymity.

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WNU Editor: I would not be surprised if Turkey signs up a few thousand.

So Much For This Being A Turkish - Libyan Covert Operation

Wasn’t this supposed to be a “covert” operation?

Footage is allegedly showing Syrian rebels in a jet, getting transferred to Libya in support of UN-backed government in Tripoli. pic.twitter.com/536iLwyVTD

— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) January 18, 2020

Zero Hedge: Syrian Jihadists Filmed Jet-Setting To Next Proxy War On Commercial Plane

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has continued warning that terrorist groups as well as a 'flood of refugees' will show up on Europe's shores if the Tripoli government were to fall to renegade General Khalifa Haftar, amid his continued offensive to control the Libyan capital. Erdogan's statement came a day before he heads to Berlin for a major peace conference which will attempt to halt the fighting.

And yet look who's sending actual jihadists into the already war-ravaged country on comfortable commercial jets:

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WNU Editor:  Not so secret after-all.

Erdogan Announces Turkey Has Started To Send Troops to Libya

Reuters: Erdogan says Turkey starting troop deployment to Libya

ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey is beginning to send troops into Libya in support of the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, days before a summit in Berlin which will address the Libyan conflict.

Last week, Turkey and Russia urged Libya’s warring parties to declare a ceasefire. However, despite talks in Moscow aimed at halting Khalifa Haftar’s months-long campaign to seize the Libyan capital, the two sides were unable to reach an agreement when Haftar failed to sign a binding truce on Monday.

Turkey, which backs Fayez al-Serraj’s Government of National Accord (GNA), has previously said that it sent a training and cooperation team which is now active in Libya.

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More News On Turkish President Erdogan Announcing The Deployment Of Troops To Libya

Turkey's Erdogan says country sending troops to Libya -- France 24
Turkey starts troop deployment to Libya - Erdogan -- TRT
Erdogan sending Turkish troops to Libya ahead of Berlin peace talks -- RT
Erdogan Announces Turkey is Sending Troops to Libya -- Sputnik
2,000 Syria fighters arrive in Libya to confront Haftar’s forces -- Middle East Monitor

Turkish President Erdogan Has Ordered The Immediate Deployment Of Soldiers To Libya

Erdogan said Turkey’s objective was to support the government in Tripoli. (Reuters)

The Guardian: Turkish troops deploy to Libya to prop up embattled government

Move follows deadly air strikes in Tripoli by war lord in bid to oust UN-backed government

Turkish troops have begun deploying to Libya in a bid to prop up the UN-recognised government in Tripoli, the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has announced.

The move followed a vote in the Turkish parliament backing deployment and further deadly attacks in Tripoli by an airforce under the control of Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the warlord who has been trying to oust the government since April.

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WNU Editor: This is probably the reason why Turkish President Erdogan is deploying soldiers to Libya .... Turkey’s operation in Libya: Targeting gas reserves (Daniel Bellut, DW).

More News On Turkish President Erdogan Ordering The Immediate Deployment Of Soldiers To Libya

Turkish military units moving to Libya, Erdogan says -- Reuters
Erdogan: Turkish military units have started deploying to Libya -- Arab News/AFP
Libya conflict: Turkey sends troops to shore up UN-backed government -- BBC
Turkey begins deploying troops to Libya, says Erdogan -- DW
Turkey begins deploying military units to Libya: Erdoğan -- The Hill
Turkish military units moving to Libya, says Erdogan -- TRT World
Turkish troops start moving toward Libya – Erdogan -- RT

Is Turkey Already Deploying Soldiers To Libya?

4 × Libyan Passenger Planes heading to Tripoli, #Libya from Istanbul, #Turkey.

I caught this at 9:02 Eastern Time. pic.twitter.com/lUWyO2mTC2

— Canadian Skywatcher (@is_keelu) December 29, 2019

WNU Editor: This looks like a deployment to me. More news on Turkey deploying military forces to Libya can be read below:

Turkey speeds up Libya troop deployment deal to prevent slide into 'chaos' -- Reuters
Turkey's defence minister comments on deploying troops to Libya -- TRT
Turkey-backed Syrian rebels being sent to join Libya fighting -- Arab News
Turkish Navy to Guard Tripoli as Syrian Rebels May Join War -- Bloomberg
Libyan crisis enters new phase with reports of Turkey deploying Syrian fighters -- The National
Turkish FM warns of impending ‘chaos’ in Libya and pushes to send troops quickly -- RT
Will Turkey use Syrians to fight in Libya? -- Seth Frantzman, Jerusalem Post

Turkish President Erdogan Announces Plan To Send Troops To Libya After Tripoli Request

Al Jazeera: Erdogan announces plan to send troops to Libya

Turkish PM to seek his parliament's support in January following Tripoli-based govt's request for military backing.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced military backing for Libya's internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), now that the north African country requested it.

In a speech in Ankara on Thursday, Erdogan said on January 7 he will present a bill to the Turkish Parliament on deployment legislation.

"Since there is an invitation [from Libya] right now, we will accept it," Erdogan told members of his AK Party. "We will present the motion to send troops [to Libya] as soon as Parliament resumes."

"God willing, we will pass it in Parliament on January 8-9 and thus respond to an invitation" from the Tripoli-based GNA, he said.

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WNU Editor: Turkey's President is also trying to find allies to assist him in his military involvement in Libya's civil war .... Erdogan in Tunisia for surprise visit to discuss Libya (AP). More here .... Erdogan makes surprise visit to Tunisia as tensions rise over Libya (Middle East eye).

More News On Turkish President Erdogan Announcing Plans To Send Troops To Libya After Tripoli Request

Erdogan: Turkey lawmakers to vote on sending troops to Libya -- AP
Turkey to send troops to Libya at Tripoli's request - Erdogan -- Reuters
Turkey to send troops to Libya, upon invitation, Erdoğan says -- Daily Sabah
Turkey to send troops to Libya as soon as possible - Erdogan -- TRT World
We will accept Libya’s troop request: Erdoğan -- Hurriyet Daily News
Libyan Interior Minister Says Will Ask for Turkish Support if Tripoli War Escalates -- NYTimes
Erdogan says Turkish troop deployment for Libya underway -- Middle East Eye

Turkey Renews Military Support To The Libyan Government In Tripoli

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, 3rd right, and Fayez Al-Serraj, 3rd left, the head of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and their delegations posing during their meeting in Istanbul. (AFP)

The Guardian: Turkey renews military pledge to Libya as threat of Mediterranean war grows

Ankara ready to defend government in Tripoli in latest policy to inflame tensions with US, EU, Greece and Middle East countries

The threat of a military clash in the Mediterranean has drawn nearer following talks in which Turkey has underlined its willingness to send troops to Libya to defend the country’s UN-recognised government.

Such a move would risk a direct military confrontation with General Khalifa Haftar, the eastern Libyan military warlord who is thought to be planning a decisive assault on the government of national accord in Tripoli, or GNA. Either the UAE or Egypt, which are supporting Haftar’s forces, might also become involved.

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WNU Editor: Egypt is warning Turkey to stay out .... Turkey, Egypt raise stakes in Libya amid battle for Tripoli (DW)

More News On Turkey Renewing Military Support To The Libyan Government In Tripoli

Turkey ready to give any military support Libya needs: Erdogan -- Reuters
Ankara boosts military support for Libya -- Arab News
Turkish legislators to sign off on Libya military support deal -- Al Jazeera
Turkey's Erdogan meets Libyan leader amid increasing regional tensions -- Middle East Eye

Is A Naval War About To Erupt Off The Coast Of Libya

Zero Hedge: Greece To Help Tripoli 'Block Turkish Ships' As Libyan War Spills Into Mediterranean

The years-long war for post-Gaddafi Libya now threatens to spill over into the Mediterranean as Turkey and Greece line up on either side of the conflict. Each side is now threatening the others' allied ships in southern waters after a controversial maritime deal expanded Turkish claims off Libya's coast.

On Thursday Benghazi-based General Kalifa Haftar declared his Libyan National Army has begun its "final decisive battle" to wrest control of the capital of Tripoli from the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).

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WNU Editor: Turkish President Erdogan has already hinted that he is prepared to send military units to intervene in the Libya civil war .... Turkish President Erdogan Says Turkey Is Ready to Send Troops To Libya (December 11, 2019). The participation of Greece is something new.

Update: The government in Tripoli is losing this war. I would not be surprise if they make their request to Turkey soon .... Turkey says Tripoli government has not asked yet for troop deployment (Reuters).

Turkish President Erdogan Says Turkey Is Ready to Send Troops To Libya

President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House in Washington, US on 13 November 2019 [Halil Sağırkaya/Anadolu Agency]

Middle East Monitor: Erdogan: Turkey ready to send troops to Libya

Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has announced that he is prepared to deploy Turkish soldiers to Libya, should the UN-recognised government make the request.

During a televised interview on Monday, Erdogan disclosed “if Libya were to invite Turkey, of course Turkey would have the right to go to Libya as per the accord,” referring to last month’s deal signed with Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj. “We are prepared to give all manner of support to Libya,” Erdogan added.

This comes against developments that Libyan general, Khalifa Haftar, and his Libyan National Army (LNA) are edging closer to the capital, Tripoli, with support from Russian forces. “Haftar is not a national representative of Libya there, Sarraj is,” President Erdoğan asserted.

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Update: As Rivals Fight for Control of Libya, Erdogan Says Turkey May Jump In (The New York Times)

WNU Editor: They are going to have this phone call because Russia is supporting the group that is trying to overthrow Turkey's allies in Libya .... Erdoğan, Putin to discuss Libya, says official (Hurriyet Daily News). My prediction. Turkey will send troops, adding to the number of foreign military forces already engaged in Libya .... Multiple foreign armed groups involved in Libya conflict: UN (AFP).

Turkey - Libya Agreement On Maritime Borders Condemned By Neighbouring Countries

New map outlining Turkey's claimed continental shelf and the borders of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), via Hurriyet Daily.

Al-Monitor: Turkey-Libya agreement shakes up eastern Mediterranean

Ahead of this week’s NATO summit in London, fresh developments in the eastern Mediterranean Sea will likely add to a long list of tensions between Turkey and allied nations as the bloc celebrates its 70th anniversary.

On Nov. 27, Ankara signed an agreement with Libya’s internationally recognized government denoting new maritime boundaries between the two nations. The area spanning from southwest Turkey to northeast Libya cuts across a zone currently claimed by Greece and Cyprus, where plans for a future gas pipeline are in the works to link eastern Mediterranean gas fields with European markets.

The agreement comes as Turkish ships continue gas exploration and drilling activities within Cyprus' territorial waters, actions Ankara claims are necessary to ensure gas revenues are shared between the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognized solely by Turkey. The latest move further escalates tensions between the nations, which hold conflicting claims over the development of eastern Mediterranean energy resources.

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WNU Editor: In Turkey's mind this is the new map .... Diplomat Leaks Map Confirming Turkey’s Real Territorial Claims (OilPrice.com).

More News On The Recent Turkey - Libya Agreement On Maritime Borders

Turkey Signs Maritime Boundaries Deal With Libya, Bypassing Greece -- Epoch times
Turkey Is Trying to Take over the Mediterranean, through Libya -- Seth Frantzman, Middle East Forum/The Jerusalem Post
Turkey Just Made a Secret Deal With Libya – Now Erdogan is Trying to Conquer the Mediterranean -- CBN
Greece 'registers disagreement' with Libya-Turkey maritime accord -- Reuters
Greece to expel Libyan ambassador over Turkey-Libya accord -- Al Jazeera

Turkey Is Becoming Involved In The Libyan War

A fighter loyal to the Libyan internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) fires a heavy machine gun as a press photographer take pictures of the scene during clashes against forces loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. AFP

The National: As Turkey admits to arming Libya militants, Ankara's open support is causing conflict

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said he is supplying militias backing the Tripoli government with arms, armoured vehicles and drones

Turkey’s support of fighters against eastern-based Libyan commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s has been no secret, but recent statements from Ankara mark a particularly brazen step.

The Field Marshal’s Libyan National Army has consistently accused Turkey of aggressively violating Libyan sovereignty and bolstering groups, including extremists, who the LNA says run Tripoli, propping up the UN-backed government.

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Update #1: In Libyan War, Turkey Takes Sides Against Mideast Rivals - Wall Street Journal (WSJ)
Update #2: Is Khalifa Haftar trying to drag Turkey into the Libyan war? (TRT)
Update #3: On Point: Turkey's Latest Libyan War Recalls 1911 (Strategy Page)

WNU Editor: Turkey's involvement in the Syrian quagmire is a news story that many in the West are ignoring. They should not. This is only going to prolong the conflict, and destabilize the region even more than what it is today.

Libyan Military Attack Turkish Cargo Ship

Reuters: Libyan military shells Turkish cargo ship, crew member killed

* Turkey says vessel was carrying plasterboard to Tobruk
* Libyan government has accused Turkey of sending arms to foes (Adds rival government statement)

BENGHAZI, Libya/ANKARA, May 11 (Reuters) - Forces loyal to Libya's internationally recognised government said on Monday they shelled a Turkish ship off the Libyan coast after it was warned not to approach, and one crew member was killed in what Turkey described as a "contemptible attack".

Libya is in a state of violent factional chaos with two rival governments backed by various armed groups vying for control of the oil-producing North African state including its ports, four years after rebels overthrew Muammar Gaddafi.

The dry cargo ship was targeted about 10 miles from the coast on Sunday after it was told not to break a ban on approaching the eastern city of Derna, Libyan military spokesman Mohamed Hejazi told Reuters.

WNU Editor: A Turkish commercial ship going to an Islamist controlled port with gypsum/plasterboard while war rages throughout the country .... something does not connect here.

More News On The Libyan Military Attacking A Turkish Cargo Ship

Libyan Navy Attacks Turkish Ship in Mediterranean, Kills One -- Bloomberg
Turkish Cargo Ship Attacked Near Libya -- WSJ
Libya conflict: Turkish ship 'bombed near Tobruk' -- BBC
Libya MP says Turkish ship hit as headed for Islamist port -- AFP
Turkish Cargo Ship Attacked Off Libyan Coast -- NYT
Turkey’s Libya policy in shambles as ship attacked in Mediterranean -- Today's Zaman
Anger in Ankara over bombing of Turkish ship off coast of Libya -- Euronews
Turkey sends warship to escort cargo ship attacked off Libya -- Xinhua