Erdogan announced that Turkey will send troops to Libya; Russia is opposed

Turkish President said next month Parliament will vote on military aid to Tripoli government, which is trying to stave off General Heffer's attack - supported by Russian mercenaries. The move is expected to deepen the conflict, and it comes at a time when Russia and Turkey are having trouble ending their disputes in Syria

Erdogan announced that Turkey will send troops to Libya; Russia is opposed

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that Ankara would send forces to Libya at the government's request in Tripoli as early as next month. Russia, which supports the forces of adversarial general Sufi Huffter, opposes the move that is expected to deepen the conflict in the North African country and give it an international touch.

The tripartite unity government in Tripoli, known by the international community, has been trying to stave off Huffar's east-based offensive since April and has been backed by Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. Last month, she signed two agreements - military and naval - with Turkey.

"Because there is an invitation now (from Libya), we will accept it," said Erdogan, who yesterday made a surprise visit to neighboring Tunisia, in a speech to members of his party. He said the legislation that would pave the way for sending troops to Libya would come before Parliament on its re-assembly, between January 8 and 9.

Erdogan and Tunisian President Yesterday (Photo: Reuters)

Turkish President Erdogan with Tunisia Said President, Tunisia December 25, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

Ankara has signaled in recent weeks that it may send troops to Libya, less than three months after the operation in northeastern Syria against the Kurdish forces. From a United Nations report reached by Reuters last month, Turkey has already sent military equipment to the Tripoli government despite the UN arms embargo.

Erdogan says the alleged presence of Russian mercenaries from the "Wagner Force," linked to the Kremlin and supporting Haftar, cannot remain unanswered. "Russia is there with 2,000 Wagner (fighters)," said the Turkish president, who also noted the presence of about 5,000 Sudanese fighters in Libya. "Is the official government ordering them? No. Everyone helps a war ram, while we received an invitation from the legitimate government in the country. That's the difference."

Huffter, who is leading the National Libyan Army, has been trying since April to conquer Tripoli, controlled by the unity government established in 2016 after the UN brokerage.

Battle for gas: An agreement between Turkey and Libya exacerbates tensions in the Mediterranean

Tripoli government forces in October (Photo: Reuters)

International government forces sitting in Tripoli, Libya, October 14, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

Officials in Turkey and Russia held talks this week in Moscow trying to reach compromises on Libya, and Syria, which both countries support on both sides, as well. The newspaper and Domoste reported today that the talks went well beyond the initially scheduled three days.

In Syria, Russia is an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad while Turkey has backed rebels seeking his ouster during the civil war of more than eight years. Recent talks follow reports that Russia-backed attacks have forced tens of thousands more Syrians to flee toward Turkey.

Turkey is also stepping up its efforts to formulate agreements with Mediterranean countries. Ankara and Athens are at odds over the control of the energy deposits on the coast of Cyprus, which is divided into Greek and Turkish parts.