Turkish Arms Arrive In Libya

In recent months the conflict in Libya has stepped up as LNA (Libyan National Army) forces make a push to capture Tripoli. In response, Libya’s UN back government has had to look for outside help for weapons to fight back against the assault & Turkey has in recent days stepped up to the plate by a shipment of Kirpi II MRAPs to the GNA. This is despite a United Nations arms embargo on the country.

Turkish Kripi II MRAP

Turkish Kripi II MRAP

The Kirpi II MRAP has been seen in use during Turkish army operations in Syria & will be interesting to see how it performs in the Libyan conflict.

The shipment of arms arrived on 18th May 2019, it was sent via a Moldovan Ro-Ro cargo ship called Amazon GIURGIULESTI. The ship is flagged as Moldovan however it has been reported that the owner of the ship is reported to be Turkish

The cargo ships bringing Turkish MRAPs into Libya

The cargo ships bringing Turkish MRAPs into Libya

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The UN arms embargo has been on Libya since February 2011, although this hasn't really stopped weapons arriving into the country. As in 2014, the UAE has been supplying the LNA with equipment. This latest shipment by Turkey is possibly the first time that a violation of the arms embargo has been widely reported & documented. Earlier this month the GNA spokesperson speaking to Turkey said it would obtain "anything that is needed to stop the assault," including military and civilian help. Many officials & analysis's see the possibility of the conflict of Libya turning into a larger proxy war. This was seen through the UN envoy to Libya as she was quoted saying earlier this month “Fears of a proxy war are very well founded.” We have already seen involvement from the UAE & other nations such as Qatar through missiles arriving & drone strikes in recent months.

The GNA has also been seen to be distributing this MRAPs to forces in the past few days

There is also the possibility that we may see more shipments sent from Turkey & other foreign players in the conflict in the coming months.