2020 Al-Watiya airstrike

On 4 July 2020, forces of the Libyan National Army (LNA) launched airstrikes on Al-Watiya Air Base in the desert southwest of Tripoli, destroying Turkish military equipment, including anti-air defences, sent from Turkey to the Government of National Accord (GNA).

2020 Al-Watiya airstrike
Part of the Second Libyan Civil War
TypeAir strike
Location
Al-Watiya Air Base, Libya
Planned byLibya House of Representatives
 United Arab Emirates (alleged)
TargetTurkish military equipment
Date4 July 2020
Executed byLibyan National Army
OutcomeSuccessful strike on 9+ targets
Casualties6 Turkish servicemen killed

Airstrike

This attack destroyed the MIM-23 Hawk air defence systems and the Koral system just two days after Turkey deployed them in the air base.[1] The airstrike hit at least nine targets at the base. Libyan Newspaper Libya Akhbar cited 6 Turkish servicemen killed.[2] Turkey remained a major supporter of the GNA, supplying drones and deploying thousands of Syrian mercenaries, including militants affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.[3] Turkish officials condemned the airstrikes and vowed "retribution". One Turkish official said the aircraft were likely to be Dassault Mirage fighters belonging to the United Arab Emirates.[4] Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said Egypt "will not allow the conflict in Libya to cross the Sirte line" and that "with regard to Egypt’s security, al-Jufra is a red line that we will not allow any force to cross".[5]

References
  1. "Destruction of Turkish air defense systems at Al-Watiya Airbase! - Islamic World News". 2020-07-05. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  2. "French Rafale Jets Allegedly Attack and Destroyed Turkish Air Defense System In Al-Watiya Airbase". 8 July 2020.
  3. Magdy, Samy (5 July 2020). "Airstrikes hit Libya base held by Turkey-backed forces". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 10 July 2020.
  4. "Turkey vows 'retribution' for attack on its positions in Libya's al-Watiya". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  5. Guesmi, Jemai (6 July 2020). "Rafale attacks on Turkish targets in al-Watiya airbase: Egyptian or French?". The Arab Weekly.
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