Eastern Libyan forces intercept Turkish ship en route to Misrata
Forces loyal to eastern Libyan strongman Khalifa Hifter intercepted a Jamaican-flagged Turkish ship in the Mediterranean Sea late Monday in a move that could escalate regional tensions.
ISTANBUL — A Turkish ship sailing under a Jamaican flag was intercepted by forces loyal to eastern Libyan leader Khalifa Hifter late Monday for reportedly entering a prohibited area near Libya’s coast.
The ship was en route to the western Libyan port city of Misrata controlled by the Tripoli-based and Turkey-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), which for years has been at war with Hifter’s Libyan National Army (LNA).
In late 2019, Turkey began providing military support to the GNA, helping it break an LNA siege on Tripoli this April and pushing the back front line to the central Libyan city of Sirte, where fighting has largely subsided since both sides signed a truce in October, though infringements continue.
Observers warn Tuesday’s events could destabilize the fragile cease-fire and raise tensions between the LNA and Turkey.
