Haftar’s forces in Libya engaged in their first public meeting with Turkey’s military attaché to discuss military collaboration, reflecting the recent shift toward closer ties between Libyan and Turkish authorities.
The eastern Libyan forces under General Khalifa Haftar hosted Turkey’s military attaché for discussions on joint cooperation, marking the first publicized meeting between the two. This session, held in Benghazi, highlights a growing rapprochement, as shown by recent diplomatic and defense-oriented interactions, including Saddam Haftar’s meeting with Turkey’s Defense Minister in Istanbul. Such engagements reflect a notable softening in relations, with the Turkish ambassador recently visiting Benghazi for discussions with Libyan officials focused on development and local governance.
In a historic and unprecedented step towards military collaboration, the forces of eastern Libyan strongman General Khalifa Haftar hosted a Turkish military delegation for the first time in Benghazi. This official meeting, disclosed by the “Secretary General of the General Command” of Haftar’s forces, Khairi Al-Tamimi, marked a significant shift in Libya-Turkey relations, which have long been complicated by divergent allegiances in Libya’s protracted civil conflict.
The Turkish delegation, led by the Turkish military attaché to Libya, was welcomed at the headquarters of Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) in Rajma, a suburb of Benghazi. According to a statement from Al-Tamimi, the discussions primarily focused on “ways of joint cooperation between the two sides,” signaling a thaw in previously hostile relations. This cooperation could extend to security and military support, indicating a remarkable departure from Turkey’s previous alignment with the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) in western Libya, which has been at odds with Haftar’s forces in the east.
A Gradual Yet Visible Warming of Relations
The meeting comes on the heels of months of diplomatic signals suggesting a softening of Haftar’s stance towards Turkey. This evolving relationship became more evident with recent high-profile interactions between Turkish officials and Haftar’s family members. Notably, on October 22, Saddam Haftar, the son of General Khalifa Haftar and Chief of Staff of the Libyan Ground Forces, visited Istanbul. During this visit, Saddam Haftar met with Turkey’s Minister of Defense while attending the Saha Expo 2024, an international defense and aerospace exhibition. The event offered a public platform for the two sides to explore avenues for military and defense collaboration, sparking intrigue and speculation regarding Libya’s evolving alliances.
Adding further momentum to the budding diplomatic exchange, two days prior to the Turkish delegation’s visit to Benghazi, Turkey’s Ambassador to Libya, Kenan Yılmaz, also traveled to eastern Libya. During his visit, he met with senior Libyan officials, including the Director General of the Development and Reconstruction Fund of Libya, Belgassim Khalifa Haftar, and Saqr Bujwari, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Benghazi Municipality. This visit highlighted Turkey’s growing interest in reconstruction and development projects in the region, which aligns with Turkey’s established role as an economic and infrastructure partner in other parts of North Africa.
Historic Context and Shifting Power Dynamics in Libya
The rapprochement between Haftar and Turkey marks a strategic recalibration amid a complex Libyan political landscape. For much of the past decade, Libya has been divided between rival administrations: Haftar’s forces in the east, backed by countries like Egypt and the UAE, and the Tripoli-based GNU in the west, supported by Turkey. Turkey’s involvement in Libya had been defined by its military assistance to the Tripoli government, including drone and artillery support during conflicts with Haftar’s forces.
In recent months, however, the regional dynamics appear to be shifting. Observers suggest that Haftar’s engagement with Turkey may be motivated by a desire to secure new alliances and leverage economic support to strengthen his administration’s hold over eastern Libya. For Turkey, establishing ties with Haftar could be a calculated move to broaden its influence in Libya’s resource-rich landscape and ensure a stable ally in both eastern and western regions.
The Road Ahead: Potential Impacts and International Implications
The potential implications of a Libyan-Turkish partnership in the east are vast. If Turkey were to deepen its involvement in Haftar-controlled areas, it could redefine the country’s role as a mediator in Libya’s ongoing political fragmentation. Military collaboration might lead to joint security operations and even pave the way for a broader stabilization effort that could benefit both the Turkish and Libyan economies, particularly in sectors such as infrastructure and energy.
However, this new alliance will likely elicit reactions from other regional players. Egypt and the UAE, for example, have historically been key supporters of Haftar and may view Turkey’s growing influence in Benghazi as a challenge to their interests in Libya. The U.S. and European nations will also be closely watching, as increased Turkish engagement could influence broader Mediterranean security dynamics and migration flows.
Local and International Reactions
The announcement of the Turkish-Libyan talks in Benghazi has already triggered discussions among experts and political analysts. Many see this as a promising step toward reducing Libya’s entrenched divisions, while others caution that these shifting alliances could introduce new complexities. Locally, some residents of Benghazi expressed cautious optimism about the potential economic benefits of Turkish investment in infrastructure, but there remain concerns over Turkey’s long-standing support for rival forces in the west.
Whether this new collaboration leads to lasting peace and stability in Libya remains uncertain, yet the significance of this meeting is undeniable. As General Haftar’s forces continue to redefine their alliances, Turkey’s growing presence in Libya could become a pivotal factor in shaping the country’s political and economic future.
This historic meeting between Haftar’s forces and the Turkish military delegation reflects a significant realignment in North African geopolitics and underscores Turkey’s sustained strategic interest in fostering new partnerships across Libya.
