Turkish Navy to Guard Tripoli as Syrian Rebels May Join War
- Ethnic Turkmen militia Could support the UN-backed government
- Deployments highlight Turkey’s increasing involvement in Libya
Fighters of a military battalion loyal to Libyan General Khalifa Haftar march during the morning assembly in Benghazi, Dec. 18.
Photographer: Abdullah Doma/AFP via Getty Images
Turkey is preparing to deploy troops and naval forces to support the internationally recognized Libyan government, joining a planned push by Ankara-backed Syrian rebels to defeat strongman Khalifa Haftar.
In a deepening proxy war, Turkey aims to send its navy to protect Tripoli, while its troops train and coordinate the forces of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, according to a senior Turkish official. Turkey recently signed a maritime deal with oil-rich Libya that serves the energy interests of both countries and aims to salvage billions of dollars of business contracts thrown into limbo by the conflict.