Even if the Turkish intervention in Libya succeeds, the campaign will not bring real benefits to Ankara.
About this writes the American edition of Foreign Policy.
At the end of last year, Turkey signed a memorandum with the so-called Government of National Accord of Libya. The document was extensive, although it did not have any justification in terms of international law.
“Soon, Turkish troops arrived, along with thousands of Syrian fighters who were promised cash and Turkish citizenship if they joined the confrontation,” the article said.
At the same time, the publication emphasizes one feature of this adventure: in conditions when Turkey is forced to cope with economic problems and the coronavirus, a military operation for 1,500 kilometers does not bring real benefits.
“Despite the successes achieved by the Turks in Libya, it is difficult to determine how Tripoli’s transformation into Ankara’s debtor fits into the overall foreign and security policy. This is a statement about the strength and power of Turkey, but it is not related to any more important goal, ”writes FP.
So, if Turkey had previously invaded the territory of Syria, then with a specific goal of defeating the Kurdish armed forces, which it associated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. In the case of Libya, there is no clear task, because, in the end, the adventure risks failing.
“Even if [the commander of the Libyan National Army Khalifa] Haftar raises a white flag, the Turks will establish patronage over the state as a loser,” the publication continues.
Moreover, in this case, Recep Tayyip Erdogan will have to deal with Egypt, which is unlikely to put up with such a neighborhood. The countries have a lot of political differences, moreover, Cairo has its own interests in Libya.
“And although the Egyptian military may not have the same technical skills as their Turkish counterparts, the Egyptians can compensate for this in numbers,” stated in the publication.
The Libyan crisis began in 2011. Then, during the armed coup, Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown, which entailed the creation of dual power in the country. So, in Tripoli, with the support of the West, the so-called Government of National Accord was formed, which refused to recognize the Libyan parliament in the city of Tobruk, who nominated General Haftar for the post of commander.