The spokesman for the Libyan National Army (LNA), Major General Ahmed Al-Mismari, claimed that Turkey was transferring extremists from camps in the Horn of Africa to Libya. They are being sent to the city of Misrata, with Qatari support and funding.
In a press conference, Al-Mismari confirmed that Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, continues to bring fighters from a number of countries to Libya. He noted that they will be transferred later to Europe, and other countries in the region.
Al-Mismari pointed out the recent arrival of “300 extremist takfiri elements from Somalia, led by two Qatari officers to Misrata”. The spokesman called on the international community to take concrete action to prevent the transfer of more extremists.
“Turkey is still transporting material to the western region to reinforce its presence in front of the international community, and impose a fait accompli”, Al-Mismari said. “They have transformed Al-Watiya base into an operations chamber and a military supply base. Turkish cargo planes arrive daily, to transport equipment and terrorists. They have taken full control of the camps around the capital, like Al-Yarmouk, Sablan, and Al-Naqlia, and deployed Syrian mercenaries there.”
He also referred to a previous tweet by the UN Acting Special Envoy, Stephanie Williams a week ago, in which she warned that a proxy war was taking place in Libya. Al Mismari pointed out that the LNA had announced this repeatedly: “the Brotherhood and the terrorists are fighting for Turkey and Qatar. In turn, they are fighting on behalf of other powers to destroy the Arab region”, he explained.
On Wednesday, the US ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland, traveled to Ankara to meet with senior Turkish officials. They discussed the withdrawal of foreign forces, and mercenaries from Libya.
Norland added that the talks dealt with the urgent need to support Libyan voices, genuinely seeking an end to the conflict and a return to UN-facilitated political dialogue, with full respect for Libya’s sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
In a statement, the US Embassy in Libya claimed the visit followed phone calls between President Trump and President Erdogan. The two heads of state discussed steps to achieve a demilitarised solution for central Libya, realise a full and reciprocal withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries, enable the National Oil Corporation to resume its critical work, and promote economic transparency and reforms.