2020 Al-Watiya airstrike

On 4 July 2020, forces of the Libyan National Army (LNA) launched airstrikes on Al-Watiya Air Base in the desert southwest of Tripoli, destroying Turkish military equipment, including anti-air defences, sent from Turkey to the Government of National Accord (GNA).

2020 Al-Watiya airstrike
Part of the Second Libyan Civil War
TypeAir strike
Location
Al-Watiya Air Base, Libya
Planned byLibya House of Representatives
 United Arab Emirates (alleged)
TargetTurkish military equipment
Date4 July 2020
Executed byLibyan National Army
Outcome2 MIM-23 radars destroyed 1 MIM-23 battery damaged
CasualtiesNo casualties reported

Airstrike

This attack targeted the MIM-23 Hawk air defence systems that were in the process of being deployed to the airbase.[1] The airstrike hit at least 3 targets. Turkey reported no casualties as a result of the attack. Turkey remained a major supporter of the GNA, supplying drones and deploying thousands of Syrian mercenaries, including militants affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.[2] Turkish officials condemned the airstrikes and vowed "retribution". One Turkish official said the aircraft were likely to be Dassault Mirage fighters belonging to the United Arab Emirates.[3] Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said Egypt "will not allow the conflict in Libya to cross the Sirte line" and that "with regard to Egypt’s security, al-Jufra is a red line that we will not allow any force to cross".[4]

References
  1. "Destruction of Turkish air defense systems at Al-Watiya Airbase! - Islamic World News". 2020-07-05. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  2. Magdy, Samy (5 July 2020). "Airstrikes hit Libya base held by Turkey-backed forces". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 10 July 2020.
  3. "Turkey vows 'retribution' for attack on its positions in Libya's al-Watiya". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  4. Guesmi, Jemai (6 July 2020). "Rafale attacks on Turkish targets in al-Watiya airbase: Egyptian or French?". The Arab Weekly.
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