Libya and Turkey sign two defense agreements to boost their military relations

Oct. 26 () –

The Prime Minister of the Tripoli Government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibé, signed two agreements with the Turkish Defense Minister, Hulusi Akar, on Tuesday, with the aim of improving the existing military relations between Turkey and Libya.

Within the scope of the signed “Flight Training Protocol between Turkey and the Government of National Unity of Libya”, it is intended that the Turkish Armed Forces contribute to the training of Libyan pilots, as reported on Wednesday by the Ministry of Defense in a statement.

Dbeibé, who has come to Istanbul to attend a demonstration of Turkish military power, already signed a series of agreements with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlut Cavusoglu, in October for the exploration of hydrocarbons in the Mediterranean to deepen the relationship between the two countries. .

This October pact, like the agreements signed on Tuesday, is closely linked to the agreement on the recognition of maritime borders and territorial waters signed in 2019 at the expense of the waters that would correspond to Greece. Military collaboration agreements were also signed at that time.

Turkey authorized the sending of troops to Libya for the first time in January 2020 to support the unity government, then led by Fayez Serraj, in the face of the military offensive against the capital, Tripoli, by the forces of General Khalifa Haftar, aligned with authorities based in the east of the country.

The Turkish intervention allowed the internationally recognized authorities to repel Haftar’s offensive –backed by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Russia–, which led to a ceasefire and an agreement for the unification of the institutions under the aegis of Dbeibé.

However, the postponement of the December elections raised tensions again and led the House of Representatives –based in the east of the country– to end Dbeibé’s mandate and appoint Fazi Bashaga as prime minister, something not internationally recognized.

Since then, Dbeibé has refused to hand over power and Bashaga’s attempt to enter Tripoli has led to clashes between militias aligned with each of the parties, raising fears that the African country could once again become involved in an armed conflict.

Bashaga has attempted to take control of Tripoli as many as twice — on July 22, clashes left 16 dead and around 50 wounded — before giving up to avoid a serious armed struggle. Right now his government is based in the city of Sirte, but the prime minister of the east of the country is threatening to carry out a definitive offensive against the capital.