The aftermath of the sudden air strike at Al-Watiya base | VIDEO

Defence Redefined

Published on 06/07/2020 at 11:56

Following the sudden air strike on Al-Watiya air base in northwestern Libya “by unknown aircraft”, the interest is now focused on Turkey’s reaction.

On Sunday, the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), which is recognized by the United Nations and has its headquarters in Tripoli, denounced the air strikes that were carried out by “foreign” warplanes against a strategic base in the western part of the embattled country. It is recalled that the base was occupied by the GNA on May 18 after successive victories over the troops of General Khalifa Haftar.

Also read: Libya’s GNA recaptures strategic Al-Watiya airbase | VIDEO

“The bombing last night (Saturday) at Al-Watiya base was carried out by a cowardly foreign air force supporting a war criminal (Haftar) in a desperate attempt to achieve a hopeless empty victory against the successive victories of the heroic Libyan army and its supporters” stated the deputy Defence Minister of the GNA, Salah al-Namru.

GNA condemns air raids on the Al Watiya air base saying it will respond in “right place and at the right time” https://t.co/4NtPns9shV pic.twitter.com/UbhXqsVwXJ via @Sara__Firth #Libya

— Liveuamap MiddleEast (@lummideast) July 6, 2020

There were casualties among Turkish soldiers deployed at the base, according to the same sources which did not state anything more specific. Also read: Libya | The LNA is retreating, complete occupation of Tripoli by the GNA In Turkey, a senior Turkish official confirmed the bombing, but not any casualties. According to him, military equipment was damaged. “The attack shows the will of Haftar and the foreign powers to maintain instability. The atmosphere of instability and conflict will be nurtured as these interventions continue, as support for Haftar continues,” he added. International analysts say that Turkey has lost at least one HAWK-XXI aircraft in the attack. Contrary to what Turkey and the GNA support, which are trying to blame the attack on the United Arab Emirates, analyst Babak Taghvaee says the SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) operation was carried out by the Libyan National Army (LNA) air force with Su-24M bombers.  

#BREAKING: It is now confirmed that #Turkish Air Force has lost at-least one HAWK-XXI air defense battery in Al-Watiya last night! The SEAD operation is carried-out by #Libya National Air Force’s Su-24M strike bombers but #Turkey & #GNA are blaming #UAE Air Force over this! https://t.co/r1ywSv7RyC pic.twitter.com/NDc7NyEGsF — Babak Taghvaee – Μπάπακ Τακβαίε – بابک تقوایی (@BabakTaghvaee) July 5, 2020

Also read: Libya | Eyes on Syrte and Al Joufra – The warring parties, diplomacy and much more on the interactive map (VIDEOS-PHOTOS)

An LNA official, General Khaled Mahjoub, said on Sunday that the targeting of the Al-Watiya air base had resulted in the deaths of some “Erdogan mercenaries”.

He also said the attack on the air base was painful and carried out through nine (9) air strikes. He added that the attack had achieved its goals by 90%, noting that it had killed 12 men, including a “senior commander”.

Also read: Arab League | Against all forms of foreign intervention in Libya

In the video below, an Egyptian television channel claims it has footage shot in the cockpit of the warplanes during the attack on Al-Watiya air base.