27.12.2019, Tripoli.
The Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya had formally requested from Turkey “air, ground and sea” military support, Reuters reports on December 27, citing a GNA representative.
GNA asked for support in order to halt an offensive by the eastern forces on Tripoli.
Since the beginning of the Arab Spring, protest waves in North Africa and the Middle East inspired and supported by the West led to the overthrowing of Muammar Gaddafi, the leader of Libyan “Jamahiriya” (state of the masses), erupted in chaos, and spiraled into a civil war.
At the moment, two governments are operating simultaneously in Libya. One is the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Faiz Saraj in Tripoli.
Another government is the Libyan House of Representatives (HoR). Its armed forces, the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Marshal Khalifa Haftar. Sometimes, the HoR of Libya and the LNA are referred to as the eastern government.
Haftar controls about 70% of Libya’s territory, most of the oil and gas fields and cities such as Benghazi, Tobruk, Sabha. Followers of the ousted Gaddafi, as well as nations as Egypt, more than others, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Sudan are among his supporters.
The GNA controls the remaining parts of Libya, mainly in the west of the country and large cities such as Tripoli, Misrata, Sirte. The GNA has international support of the US, European countries, Qatar, Turkey and Ukraine.
Local nomadic tribes such as Tubu or Tuaregs from the south of the country in deserted and sparsely populated areas are mostly autonomous smugglers.
In early December 2019, Haftar announced the start of assault on Tripoli.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
