Tripoli's Mitiga Airbase used to pilot Turkish drones is threat to civilians: LNA spox

CAIRO – 12 May 2020: Spokesperson of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Ahmed al-Mesmary admitted striking Tripoli's Mitiga Airbase by a number of missiles because the site has become a security threat not only to military concentrations but also to civilians in Tripoli and surrounding areas.

That is because the airbase is used by Turkey to pilot drones that target LNA concentrations, civilians, and vehicles transporting supplies to towns and cities located near the capital such as Misrata, Tarhouna, and others.

"We hit any military or semi-military targets as well as any civilian sites that are used for military purposes," Memsary said quoting texts from international laws that allow targeting civilian locations if used by military entities.

The LNA lies few kilometers from Mitiga airbase, which has prompted militias to target Al Watiyah district western Tripoli with the aim of achieving advances and taking over Oqba Ibn Nafea Airbase to be the alternative, Mesmary highlighted in April.

The LNA recovered Sirte from militias in January, and has been encircling Tripoli and Misrata advancing in their suburbs and deterring attacks by militias.

Mesmary praised the joint statement issued by Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, UAE, and France to denounce the Turkish military intervention in Libya.

In December, Turkey signed with the Government of National Accord (GNA), which is an interim non-elected government that is recognized by the United Nations, two MoUs on defense and gas drilling in the Mediterranean.

Since January, Turkey has been transporting Syrian mercenaries into the North Africa state, and sending military officers and experts to command the operations rooms of the militias affiliated to the GNA.

Libyan Armed Forces kill commander of Turkey-backed Syrian armed group

CAIRO - 11 May 2020: The Libyan National Army (LNA) announced on Sunday the killing of a high-profile Syrian mercenary who was transported by Turkey to fight in the ranks of Tripoli militias. The LNA carried out an operation in Ain Zara town southern the capital to target Mohamed Hendawy who is the commander of the second corps at Turkey-backed armed group, the National Syrian Army.