Turkish Casualties, Air Defense Systems Destroyed in Haftar Airstrike on Al-Watiya Ai

[Pete]

Turkish Casualties, Air Defense Systems Destroyed in Haftar Airstrike on Al-Watiya Airbase

https://www.defenseworld.net/news/27...e#.XwL2e_JJk3g

"Turkey appears to have lost some of its army men and MIM-23 Hawk air defense systems as Libyan National Army (LNA) warplanes struck al-Watiya airbase on Sunday night.

The airbase was recaptured from renegade commander Khalifa Haftar’s grip by Libya’s Turkey-backed and internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in May.

Official confirmation from the Turkish Ministry of Defense is awaited...."

Looks like it's Turkey's move now.

[glebo]

Never heard of it, until this post.
That woulda been pretty bad for any civilian airliners in the airspace, that could've developed into a real problem...
Libya and Turkey..well, the NLA anyway...who'da thunk???

EDIT:, after reading the link again, it was hard for me to understand a bit of who's who...so my above first post is probably off...

[Badger52]

Originally Posted by glebo

EDIT:, after reading the link again, it was hard for me to understand a bit of who's who...so my above first post is probably off...

Unfamiliar with the side conducting the strike but seems this is not your garden-variety warlord.

The LNA led by Haftar enjoys support from France, Egypt, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Russia and Saudi Arabia. Egyptian F-16 fighter jets and UAE Air Force Airbus A330-243MRTT tankers were allegedly spotted flying over Libyan skies on June 22.

The recognized gov't of Libya backed by Turks up against a movement supported by countries that own/operate serious air-defense suppression capability as well as other "stuff."

[scooter]

There’s an actual US-style civil war going on in Lybia, with two full governments fighting for control of the country. Each side has serious international backing, and not along the usual NATO/WARSAW lines that you usually see. Major US allies are supporting opposing sides, some with troops on the ground.

No, doesn’t get a lot of press.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/...110325735.html

Link for those who want a short explanation of who is backing who, and why.

[Badger52]

Originally Posted by scooter

Link for those who want a short explanation of who is backing who, and why.

Outstanding; thank you!