H. Kong retail sales inch up in June '25    Egypt's SCZONE breaks ground on $55m Chinese textile projects in Sokhna    Egypt's FM, US envoy discuss Gaza ceasefire, Iran nuclear talks    Japan's c. bank holds key interest rate    Egypt's Electricity Ministry says new power cable for Giza area operational    Egypt exports first high-tech potato seeds to Uzbekistan after opening market    Modon Holding posts AED 2.1bn net profit in H1 2025    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Italian defence minister discuss Gaza, security cooperation    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, Nile dam with US senators    Aid airdrops intensify as famine deepens in Gaza amid mounting international criticism    Health minister showcases AI's impact on healthcare at Huawei Cloud Summit    On anti-trafficking day, Egypt's PM calls fight a 'moral and humanitarian duty'    Egypt strengthens healthcare partnerships to enhance maternity, multiple sclerosis, and stroke care    Egypt keeps Gaza aid flowing, total tops 533,000 tons: minister    Indian Embassy to launch cultural festival in Assiut, film fest in Cairo    Egyptian aid convoy heads toward Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens    Culture minister launches national plan to revive film industry, modernise cinematic assets    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Sisi sends letter to Nigerian president affirming strategic ties    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



LAAF seizes Turkish ship crew off Libya coast
Deadline given to Misrata militias to withdraw from cities of Tripoli, Sirte ended on Sunday
Published in Daily News Egypt on 22 - 12 - 2019

The eastern-based Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF), headed by Khalifa Haftar said on Saturday that they have seized a ship with a Turkish crew on it, as the Turkish parliament ratified the military and security cooperation deal signed with the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) three weeks ago.
The Grenada-flagged ship was stopped by the LAAF in Libyan territorial waters off the eastern city of Derna and was led to the Ras El Hilal port, according to a statement on Facebook.
The LAAF published the identities of three of the Turkish crew members, adding that they are under questioning.
Earlier on Friday, LAAF said they bombed sites used for storing Turkish weapons in Misrata. The deadline which the LAAF gave to Misrata militias to withdraw from the Libyan cities of Tripoli and Sirte ended on Sunday.
The incident came only two days after the GNA decided to activate its memorandum of understandings (MoUs) for military and security cooperation signed with Turkey on 27 November, opening the door for Ankara to send ground troops to Libya in what will be a major escalation.
According to the UN, Ankara has previously provided Chairperson of the Presidential Council of Libya Fayez Al-Sarraj's government with military equipment, including armoured vehicles and drones.
A senior US State Department official told Reuters on Saturday that Washington is concerned over “the military intensification,” in Libya. “We see the Russians using hybrid warfare, using drones and aircraft. This isn't good,” the official said.
Haftar forces are allegedly backed by private security forces from the Wagner Group of Russia.
Conflicts has been escalating between the parties and their supporters in Libya in recent days following the GNA-Turkey deals which were also condemned by Egypt, Cyprus, and Greece.
Last week, Haftar ordered to advance toward the centre of Tripoli as part of the "final battle" to control the capital which was launched in April this year.


Clic here to read the story from its source.