Al-Mahjoub: LNA is Monitoring Turkish Warships Near Libyan Territorial Waters

Major General Khaled Al-Mahjoub said the Libyan National Army (LNA) was monitoring the movement of Turkish warships but stressed that they were currently outside Libyan territorial waters. He said the LNA and its navy were ready to deal with any eventuality.

(Libya, 5 December 2020) – In a statement given today, the Director of Moral Guidance in the Libyan National Army (LNA), Major General Khaled Al-Mahjoub, said LNA was monitoring the movement of Turkish warships in the Gulf of Sirte.

Major General Khalid al-Mahjoub of the LNA

He stated that the Turkish warships were currently outside Libyan territorial waters and was no evidence yet showing they were approaching the Oil Crescent. He said LNA and its navy are ready to deal with any emergency.

Since the standoff between Operation IRINI’s German frigate and a Turkish cargo vessel off the coast of Libya, which led to diplomatic pressure being exerted by Turkey against the EU, Libyan media revealed that Turkish warships had been detected near the Gulf of Sirte. Satellites had spotted 6 naval frigates carrying the Turkish flag off the coast of Libya, at the Sirte Oil Crescent.

After months of lack of any relevant activity in the Gulf of Sidra, SENTINEL-1 CSAR sat caught what appear to be at least 6, frigate/corvette ,sized vessels. Still need optical sat verification but looks a lot as 🇹🇷 "tourists" are back#OSINT #Libya #Turkey @putinIsAVirus pic.twitter.com/2BVgITQUS0

— OSINT Editor – Community powered (@osinteditor) December 5, 2020

Turkish naval movements coincide with its deployments in Libya, specially during the last few days. Yesterday, for example, there were almost 6 military cargo flights from Turkish air bases to al-Watiya air base.

Additional Turkish military cargo plane lands at Al-#Watiya base from #Merzifon base in conjunction with another towards #Konya, making it now the 6th flight within the last 24 hours. #Libya @UNSMILibya pic.twitter.com/1CnKMv60kw

— صحيفة المرصد الليبية (@ObservatoryLY) December 4, 2020