The Turkish Ministry of National Defense will soon carry out large-call naval exercises off the Libyan coast to prove ability to control the region by air and sea, amid tensions with France over the oil-rich African country. The drills, to prepare the navy forces for a potential war east of the Mediterranean, will take place soon in light of recent escalations of tensions in Libya, MEMO said, adding that the drills will involve 17 warplanes and eight naval vessels. Turkey has been embroiled in the diplomatic tussle with France over Libya, with Paris accusing Ankara of occupation. France also charged the Turkish navy of harassing a French naval vessel in the Eastern Mediterranean last month while trying to inspect a cargo ship suspected of carrying weapons to Libya. Turkey’s Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and Admiral Adnan Ozbal, commander of the Turkish Naval Forces were recently in Tripoli to meet with GNA leaders.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 09, 2020 15:56 UTC