Turkey Extends Military Presence In Libya

In a move that underscores the complexity of the Libyan conflict, President Erdogan of Turkey has signed a memorandum to extend the deployment of Turkish forces in Libya for an additional two years.

Originally dispatched in January 2020, the Turkish forces were extended in June 2021 for 18 months, with the primary objective of safeguarding national interests within the framework of international law, neutralizing security threats from unauthorized armed groups, ensuring security against other potential hazards, and providing humanitarian aid and support for Libya’s legitimate government.

Memorandum of Military Cooperation

The Turkish forces, accompanied by Syrian mercenaries, were deployed based on a military cooperation memorandum signed with Libya’s former Government of National Accord in November 2019.

However, he is open to foreign expertise for army training and has revealed a forthcoming visit to Turkey—his second after last year—to meet with Turkish officials including Erdogan. 

Despite the existing agreement, Aguila Saleh, the head of the Libyan House of Representatives, has expressed his firm opposition to the establishment of military bases in Libya. 

Turkey, Egypt, and Libya: A Complex Diplomatic Dance

While tensions brew over the extended military presence, relations between Turkey, Egypt, and Libya have been showing signs of improvement. The Libyan political factions have remained silent on Erdogan’s request for an extension of the military presence. The Turkish forces, in addition to their protective role, are involved in training Libyan soldiers and assert they have no territorial ambitions in Libya, with their ultimate aim being the establishment of the core of a unified Libyan army. 

A Step Towards Reconciliation

Saleh’s previous visit to Turkey in August—after more than a decade of estrangement—marked a significant step towards reconciliation. Both sides expressed their commitment to Libya’s territorial unity and the need for an electoral process led by a strong government, explicitly excluding military solutions.

The move to extend the Turkish forces signals the continuation of this complex dance of diplomacy and military strategy. The consequences of this decision, however, will be felt not just in the halls of power, but on the ground in Libya, where the ordinary people yearn for stability and peace.