Satellite images show ‘mysterious’ Turkish moves in Libya, off Cyprus

Special (The Reference) – Images taken recently by satellites have shown mysterious Turkish moves in the Mediterranean, especially near Cyprus and in Libya.

The moves attest to plans by Turkey to carry out military operations in the two areas, something military and political experts warned against in the past few days.

The same experts warned against the prospect of major battles around the northern Libyan city of Sirte and the central city of al-Jufra because of Turkish interference in the North African state.

The Turkish interference is a violation of the will of the Libyan people and international resolutions. It is stoking the tension inside Libya.

The images taken by satellites recently show a Turkish drilling ship off the coast of Cyprus. Accompanying the drilling ship is apparently a Turkish warship. The images were taken in early May.

Other images show a Turkish unmanned aerial vehicle landing at Misrata airbase. The vehicle is Bayraktar TB2 type.

Other images obtained by The Reference show units of the French navy sailing towards the Eastern Mediterranean, especially towards the Libyan coast, for reconnaissance operations.

News agencies quoted some specialists as saying that Turkey brings together a large number of mercenaries and drones in Libya in preparation for attacking Sirte and al-Jufra.

This will compel the Libyan National Army (LNA) to act to defend the two cities, the specialists said.

Foreign interference, especially by Turkey, the specialists said, complicates the situation in Libya.

However, the defeats the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and its militias are running into may force it to request the resumption of talks with rivals, the specialists added.

LNA Spokesman Ahmed al-Mesmari said on Tuesday that the LNA would not take the initiative of attacking the GNA militias congregated around Sirte and al-Jufra.

He added, however, that the LNA would fight these militias and their Turkish backers if they start the attacks.