Turkey sending even more hirelings to Libya

Hossam al-Haddad

Turkey has so far transferred 17,000 mercenaries from Syria to Libya, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

It added on August 1 that these mercenaries included 350 children under the age of 18.

However, 6,000 mercenaries returned to Syria after their contracts came to an end and they had received their salaries, the observatory said.

It noted that Turkey continues to transfer hirelings to Libya.

The observatory warned that these mercenaries also included 10,000 extremists who also included 2,500 Tunisian nationals.

Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar warned yesterday against possible clashes between his army and foreign ships and warplanes using the Libyan maritime and airspace.

He called on the countries owning these planes and ships to coordinate with his army before approaching the Libyan territorial waters or using Libya’s airspace.

LNA Spokesman Ahmed al-Mesmari did not mention in a statement the names of these countries.

However, he asked them to coordinate any moves with his army.

Meanwhile, the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) said its troops were ready for regaining control around the northern Libyan city of Sirte.

GNA troops Spokesman Mohamed Qanono referred to an imminent operation on Sirte and the central city of al-Jufra.

Pro-GNA media quoted field commander lieutenant general Ibrahim Beit al-Mal as saying that GNA troops are confident of victory in the battle for Sirte.

“Our troops defend their own territories,” he said.

He described the LNA as a bunch of “hirelings” and “insurgents”.

Col. Al-Hussein al-Sheltat, another field commander, said his troops, which are deployed west of Sirte, are ready to “liberate” the city.

“We are ready to carry out the commands of the army leadership,” he said.