Turkey’s foreign ministry on Thursday warned of serious consequences if General Khalifa Haftar’s forces attack Turkish interests in Libya, Reuters reported.
The ministry’s spokesman said Turkey, which backs Libya’s internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), will deem Haftar’s forces legitimate targets if Turkish interests are targeted.
Haftar earlier today announced an air campaign against Turkish targets in Libya.
“You are about to see the largest aerial campaign in Libyan history in the coming hours,” LNA air force chief Saqr al-Jaroushi said in a statement, according to Bloomberg. “All Turkish positions and interests in all cities are legitimate targets for our air force jets, and we call on civilians to stay away from them.”
Turkish ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy replied to the threat with a written statement.
“We once again remind that, if Haftar’s putschist elements target Turkish interests in Libya, this will have serious repercussions and that we will consider them as legitimate targets,” Aksoy said.
Turkish Minute