Libyans protest against Turkey’s Erdogan and ‘occupation’ of Libya in Benghazi
Libyans staged a protest against Turkey’s intervention in the country in the city of Benghazi on Sunday.
Images and footage showed crowds in Bengahzi’s al-Keesh square, with banners depicting the face of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with a cross over his face.
According to Al Arabiya, demonstrators chanted against foreign “occupation.”
Photos showed people holding signs saying “Libya did not and will not bow to the Turkish regime” in Arabic and “Not for colonization No to Turkish intervention.”
Libya anti-Turkey protesters holidng signs showing President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the GNA leader in Benghazi, June 5, 2020. (Al Arabiya)
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Part of the demonstration that took place in al-Keesh Square in #Benghazi, rejecting Turkish interference in #Libya and military cooperation between the #Erdogan government and the Tripoli-based Fayez al-#Sarraj government.
— The Libyan Address Journal (@LibyanAddressJo) July 6, 2020
The Libyan Address Journal pic.twitter.com/26AMyam0Ld
Turkey supports the Government of National Accord (GNA) in its conflict with the Libyan National Army (LNA).
According to sources, Ankara and the GNA signed a military alliance on Saturday, following an earlier economic deal giving Turkey maritime rights to vast swathes of the eastern Mediterranean.
Libya anti-Turkey protesters in Benghazi, June 5, 2020. (Al Arabiya)
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Turkey signs a military agreement with Libya’s GNA: Sources
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Backed by Syrian mercenaries sent to Libya by Turkey, the GNA has taken ground against the LNA over recent months and now poses a threat to the strategic city of Sirte and the Al Jufra airbase.
On Sunday, an unidentified air force struck the GNA-controlled Watiya base, reportedly destroying Turkish military equipment.
Benghazi remains a stronghold of the LNA, which is backed by the Tobruk-based Libyan parliament and foreign countries including Egypt, Russia, France and the United Arab Emirates.
Read more: Jets bomb Libya's GNA-controlled Watiya airbase where Turkey may build base: Sources
Libya as of June 22, 2020.
Turkey withdraws troops after Watiya strike: LNA, local sources
Turkey withdrew a substantial number of its garrison at the Watiya base after suffering material losses in the attack, according to an LNA official and local sources who spoke to Al Hadath.
An anonymous Turkish military source confirmed to Al Arabiya that it had suffered shelling and material losses from the strike, but did not specify any casualties.
LNA officer Brig. Khaled al-Mahjoub, the director of its Department of Moral Guidance, told Al Arabiya on Sunday that Turkey had suffered significant losses in military equipment in the attack, and that more attacks would be carried out against the base soon.
"We are in a real war with Turkey, which has oil ambitions in Libya, said al-Mahjoub.
Read more: Politics, Lies and Gaddafi Tapes: The plots uncovered by Libyan intelligence leaks
