The Libyan Government’s National Accord Government (GNA) forces, led by Faiz Saraj, claim to have captured Russian-made Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft missile-cannon systems (ZRPK) south of Tripoli.
On the eve the Turkish media spread reports about the transfer of this military facility under the control of GNA formations, which Ankara supports with manpower (militants from Syria) and arms supplies.
According to military experts, the ZRPKs were delivered to the Libyan National Army (LNA) under the command of Marshal Khalifa Haftar not directly from Russia, but from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which supply Haftar’s troops with weapons and military equipment.
“Pantsir-S1” is widely used by the forces of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, and in recent months has become a target for the same Turkish drones, but already armed with Syrian fighters.
According to military analyst Oded Berkowitz, several “Pantsir” have arrived in Libya over the past two years. The first was spotted in a North African country in June 2018. The ZRPK model, delivered from the UAE, is mounted on a German-made Man-SX 45 eight-wheeled truck.
As reported by BulgarianMiitary.com, the Libyan National Army previously announced the destruction of four Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles in Libya, which were used by the formations of the Government of National Accord. One of the drones was shot down in the area of Ajailat, near the al-Vatiya airbase, which is located about 140 kilometers southwest of Tripoli.
Libyan civil war
In Libya, armed clashes are currently taking place between supporters of different leaders. The country is led by the Government of National Accord (GNA), headed by Prime Minister Fayez Saraj, the “eastern government” led by Abdullah Abdurrahaman at-Thani.
The eastern government is supported by the commander of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa Haftar.
Recall that January 13 in Moscow, negotiations were held between the heads of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalif Haftar and the Government of National Accord (GNA) Faiz Sarraj. Also present were members of the Foreign Ministries of Russia and Turkey.
On the meeting the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, has notified Russia about the conditions for continuing negotiations on the signing of a peace agreement in Libya.
According to the requirements of Haftar, the militias operating in Libya are required to surrender weapons in the period from 45 to 90 days. This process should be controlled by a special commission created by the LNA together with the UN
Haftar also refused to recognize Turkey as an intermediary in resolving the situation in Libya, since the Turkish side is not neutral and supports the Government of National Accord (GNA).