US Should Stop Weapons Flowing To Libya
A growing arms race in the Eastern Mediterranean pits several U.S. allies against each other, raising the risks of confrontation between two NATO allies.
The Turkish Ministry of Defense has tweeted pictures of the Turkish Navy escorting the research ship Oruç Reis to waters that it disputes with Greece. After a phone call with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis the following day, French Prime Minister Emanuel Macron publicly supported this posture by that he would increase France’s naval presence in the Eastern Mediterranean in response to “Turkey’s unilateral decisions in matters of oil exploration provoke tensions.”
Turkish energy exploration has become intimately linked to one of the region’s most stubborn conflicts, Libya’s civil war. Turkey supports the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) against the Libyan National Army (LNA), which is backed by Russia, France, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Right now, Turkey continues to sell arms to the GNA, despite violating a UN arms embargo to do so.
In fact, Turkey has spent most of the past year moving arms to the GNA, which was struggling before the weapons arrived. Since then, the Turkish-backed forces have reversed their fortunes and taken back much of the ground that the LNA gained last year.
Unfortunately, violations of the arms embargo appear to be happening on both sides. The U.S. has accused Russia of . In June last year, the GNAafter capturing a LNA base. Markings on the missiles’ shipping container suggest they were originally sold to the UAE. This year in May a confidential UN report indicated thathave been supplying the LNA. Transfers of American weaponry to Libyan militias would not only violate the UN embargo but also be in direct violation of U.S. arms export laws, unless given approval by the administration and notified to Congress. Further investigations into these matters are necessary.
However, Turkey’s antagonism, coupled with its success in Libya, pose a grave regional concern. Last month, Egypt’s parliament approved a military intervention in Libya. Meanwhile, Cairo and Athens announced they are pursuing their own maritime border agreement. Despite these machinations, all parties are merely playing catch-up to Turkey’s rapid expansion.
Recent developments indicate a real fear that Turkey will continue to carve up the region for itself. As of late, the Egyptian Navy has expanded its operations to include protecting newly discovered offshore natural gas. Egypt has bought four Type 209 German attack submarines, two Mistral-class Helicopter Carriers, four Gowind corvettes, and a FREMM multi-mission Frigate. Reportedly, Cairo will replace its aging Soviet MiG-21 aircraft to the newer MiG-29M and has bought forty-six Ka-52 Russian attack helicopters.
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Πηγή: breakingdefense.com
