Maghreb Edition

Libya: Forces of warlord Haftar seize Turkish commercial ship, hold 17 crewmenF

Posted On 9 December 2020

Number of times this article was read : 451

Turkey on Tuesday denounced the seizure of a commercial ship by the forces of Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar, warning of “serious consequences” if its 17 crewmen are not freed. Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) had announced late Monday  that it intercepted on Sunday a ship belonging to a Turkish company and flying a Jamaican flag. The LNA, which opposes the UN-recognised government in Tripoli backed by Ankara, said the ship named Mabrooka had entered a “zone of military operations” in the area of Ras Al-Hilal. The ship — with a crew of nine Turks, seven Indians and one Azerbaijani — was towed to a port and an investigation begun, it said. Ankara says the ship was carrying humanitarian aid and was intercepted by speedboats.

The Turkish foreign ministry “strongly condemned” the action, saying in a statement: “The ship should be allowed to continue its voyage without delay.” It added: “We recall yet again that Turkish interests in Libya are targeted. There will be serious consequences, and the perpetrators will be considered legitimate targets.”

Libya has been wracked by violence and chaos since the toppling and killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011. While the GNA is backed by Turkey, Haftar’s camp enjoys the support of the United Arab Emirates, Russia and Egypt. The two sides formally agreed a ceasefire in October.

AFP

Subscribe to Urgent Notifications and Newsletter

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Gulf War Escalates as Energy Markets Reel and Regional Fronts Multiply$

The war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States is expanding across the Middle East, with growing consequences for global energy markets and regional security. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure have pushed oil prices higher and raised concerns about supply stability. As missile exchanges intensify and fighting spreads to Lebanon, world leaders are scrambling to assess the economic fallout and prevent further escalation.

West Africa: Jihadist Attacks Intensify in Northern Benin Amid Cross-Border Insurgency Pressure$

Jihadist attacks in northern Benin have intensified in recent weeks, with militants linked to JNIM claiming a deadly assault on a military position near the Niger border and carrying out additional raids on security posts along the country’s volatile frontiers with Burkina Faso and Nigeria. The violence underscores how northern Benin has become part of a wider cross-border insurgency spilling south from the central Sahel, even as authorities bolster Operation Mirador and try to prevent armed groups from entrenching themselves on Beninese soil.

Desert Locusts Stir Fresh Worries in North-West Africa$

Small desert locust swarms recently detected along the western Sahara corridor have prompted stepped-up monitoring across parts of North and West Africa, where shifting rainfall can quickly turn quiet desert areas into launchpads for wider infestations.

Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.