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| Foto: al monitor |
February 22, 2020. 16:21
Turkish President Tayyip Recep Erdogan said his
country has sent Syrian opposition fighters to Libya.
“Turkey is
there [in Libya] with a training force. There are also people from the Syrian
National Army,” Erdogan told reporters in Istanbul, referring to opposition
fighters who were previously known as the “Free Syrian Army”.
The Turkish
president added that the reports are saying Turkey sent mercenaries from Syria,
wondering why no one discusses the 2,5000 mercenaries of the Russian company
Wagner or the 15,000 mercenaries from Sudan and Chad who fight alongside Libyan
National Army (LNA) forces.
“We are in
Libya at the invitation of the Libyan people, and the legitimate government
representing it,” referring to the memorandum of understanding for military and
security cooperation signed with Government of National Accord, headed by Fayez
al-Sarraj.
“We will not go
out until peace and stability are achieved in Libya,” continued Erdogan.
Several reports
had indicated that Turkey sent Syrian mercenaries after they were promised the
Turkish citizenship and salaries of up to $2,000 per month, to fight alongside
militias loyal to the GNA.
This is the
first time Erdogan admits to sending these elements and the Syrian Observatory
for Human Rights (SOHR) estimated they were around 3,600 fighters from
pro-Turkish factions and brigades in Syria.
The Turkish
President reaffirmed that his country will continue to support the GNA and
renewed his attack on LNA leader Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, saying that he
was “mercenary and has illegal status."
Erdogan's
comments came after a surprising meeting in Istanbul with Sarraj, who withdrew
from the UN-sponsored Geneva peace talks on Libya, aimed to establish a
permanent cease-fire.
The Turkish
presidency said the closed meeting between Erdogan and Sarraj was not included
in the President's agenda, without giving any further details.