Turkey’s parliament voted overwhelmingly Thursday to authorize the deployment of Turkish military forces to Libya. This vote came at the request of President Erdogan, following a deal with Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA).
The Tripoli-based GNA has been fighting Gen Khalifa Hafter’s self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA), which has been trying to occupy the capital since early 2019. Erdogan has vowed to ensure the GNA does not fall to the LNA.
Analysts say an immediate deployment by Turkey is unlikely, though the LNA’s rival parliament voted to mobilize its civilian population to resist any Turkish invasion that might happen.
The LNA has substantial international support, and two of its big allies, the Russian government and the Egyptian military junta, have issued statements warning Turkey against getting involved in the conflict. President Trump, whose support for the GNA and LNA varies wildly in different statements, warned Turkey in general against “interference.”
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