Erdogan Is Taking a Big Gamble In Libya
Turkey’s military assistance for the government in Tripoli exposes it to new risks.
Erdogan can’t afford to let go.
Photographer: Anadolu Agency/AnadoluTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has begun to dispatch troops to Libya, there to support of the country’s beleaguered Government of National Accord. Turkey’s objective is to protect Tripoli and help the GNA—which is recognized by the United Nations—to remain in power.
From Ankara’s point of view, this is in essence a defensive move, one that aims to achieve a military stalemate in Libya between the GNA, led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, and the so-called Libyan National Army, led by General Khalifa Haftar. The calculation is that such a situation would then force the parties to the table of negotiations and pave the way to a political settlement before long.