Turkey’s Erdogan keeps lying

Muazz Mohamed

Confusion always haunts the actions of Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, especially when he wants to escape from internal problems in his country with the smallest cost.

On January 20, Erdogan said his country had not sent troops to Libya yet, even as he said previously that Turkish troops had already arrived in the North African state.

The Turkish president also added that his country had sent military advisors and trainers only to Libya.

On January 8, Erdogan said his country had sent 350 troops to Libya to back the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA). He added that these troops would not participate in combat, but will carry out coordination operations.

Days before the Berlin conference on Libya, Erdogan said his country would continue to take all measures to secure its southern land and maritime borders.

He added in a speech at the presidential complex in Ankara that Turkey would offer concessions for petroleum companies to explore for oil and gas in its territorial waters in the light of a maritime boundary delimitation deal with the GNA.

Failed attempt

Erdogan changed his mind immediately after the Berlin conference. The conference called for applying gradual measures for bringing about peace in Libya, including maintaining the ceasefire and suspending military operations.

The Turkish president had apparently wanted to prove his country innocent. This is why he is declaring now that Turkey had not sent troops to Libya yet. In doing this, he also demonstrates fears from the application of sanctions by the United Nations Security Council on Turkey, if it proves to be violating the ceasefire in Libya.

Lies

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said revealed on January 19 that Turkey had opened new centers for the training of Syrian mercenaries.

Turkey, the observatory said, would encourage the same hirelings to travel to Libya to fight by side with the militias of the GNA.

Around 260 Syrian militants had already arrived in Libya, the observatory said.

This raises the number of mercenaries fighting under the umbrella of the GNA in the North African country to 2,400, it added.