Middle East Online: Türkiye expands its influence in Libya through military cooperation

The Middle East Online website reported that Turkey is seeking to strengthen its influence in the Libyan arena by expanding military cooperation with Abdul Hamid Al-Dabiba in the midst of an influence struggle between many regional and international powers, especially Russia and the United States.

The website added, in its report, that hope is gradually declining that the state of division will soon end and state institutions will be unified under the auspices of the United Nations with the continued political stalemate, noting that Turkey enjoys great influence in Libya, as it supported the Government of National Accord, led by Fayez al-Sarraj, in confronting the American Khalifa Haftar during The war in 2019 did not prevent forces from entering the capital, Tripoli, and the cities of the western region.

It explained that Ankara sent many Syrian mercenaries, in addition to a number of military experts, to train the militias affiliated with Al-Wefaq and fight alongside them, not to mention support with weapons and marches.

It continued that after the formation of the Dabiba government, the Turkish army supported the forces loyal to it and established close relations with a number of militia leaders with the aim of preserving many economic and political interests dating back to the period of the Government of National Accord and before, such as the memorandum of understanding on oil and gas.

It continued that Dabiba continues to mortgage Libya to Turkey in order to gain its permanent support for him to continue in power after the escalation of criticism directed at him not only from his opponents in the eastern region, but also from prominent leaders in the western region who were allied with him.

It added that Moscow has strengthened its cooperation with the forces of the American Khalifa Haftar by sending two military battleships to the Tubruk base and landing military equipment, while reports also spoke of the imminent formation of the Libyan-European Legion in the west of the country through a semi-official American security company.