Two Turkish troopers killed in Libya: Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says two Turkish troopers have been killed in Libya, despite an earlier assertion that Ankara had withheld the dispatch of forces to the North African country in an attempt to give peace a chance.
Erdogan announced the toll at a news conference on Tuesday, calling the dead troopers “martyrs” without elaborating.
The Turkish president had said over the weekend that Turkey had suffered “a couple of” casualties in Libya, sparking criticism for not providing a precise number.
Libya’s internationally recognized government, led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, has previously sought Turkey’s support against rebels under the command of Khalifa Haftar, who have been fighting to seize the capital, Tripoli, and who receive support from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Ankara approved the dispatch of troopers to Libya in a declared bid to protect the Libyan government, but following a multinational peace summit in Germany, Erdogan said Turkey would not deploy the forces so as to facilitate a ceasefire that the summit was held to promote.
Since 2014, Libya has been divided between the Tripoli-based government and a camp in the eastern city of Tobruk, supported militarily by Haftar’s rebel forces.
Turkey has also transferred allied Syrian militants to Libya.
Hamas denies reports about political bureau relocation to Turkey as false
BRICS offers Turkey partner status, says Turkish minister
Erdogan claims Turkey has 'severed all ties' with Israel
Canada’s Yukon town council at standstill over refusing oath to King Charles
Yemen's Houthi calls for jihad to protect Palestine against Israel
VIDEO | Internal rifts within Israel
Russia launches 'ICBM' for first time against Ukraine: Kiev
Scores killed as Takfiri terrorists target Shia Muslims in Pakistan
Pezeshkian to US, Europeans: You are killing women, children
VIDEO | COP29: another climate failure?
ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant for war crimes
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
