Libya conflict

Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler met with Saddam Hifter, commander of the Libyan National Army’s ground forces, on the sidelines of IDEF25 defense fair in Ankara, on July 23, 2025.

Libya’s Khalifa Hifter names son Saddam second-in-command: What to know

Saddam Hifter’s appointment as deputy general commander of the Libyan National Army positions him as a key power player in eastern Libya amid ongoing political division.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni react during a press conference as part of Turkey's President's visit at the Villa Doria Pamphili in Rome on April 29, 2025. Turkish President arrived in Rome for talks with Italy's Prime Minister on April 29, 2025, as the two Mediterranean countries seek to boost trade and cooperation, and will discuss the war in Ukraine and the "situation in the Middle East" before a summit where government ministers are expected to sign

Italy, Turkey, Libya hold summit as Meloni prioritizes migration: What to know

Three leaders met in Istanbul as Italy leads efforts to curb irregular migration from Libya and Ankara balances between Tripoli and eastern Libya.

Security forces stand guard as Libyans perform the morning prayer of Eid al-Fitr with a portrait of the military strongman of eastern Libya, Khalifa Hiftar, in the background in the port city of Benghazi on March 31, 2025.

Analysis

US reengages Hifter as Trump pursues dual Libya strategy: What to know

Though the UN Security Council, and by extension Washington, continues to recognize the Tripoli-based GNU as Libya’s legitimate government, the US senior adviser's outreach to both Dbeibah and Hifter points to a dual strategy undertaken by the Trump administration.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Turkish police officers patrols next to the drilling ship 'Yavuz'

Analysis

Erdogan’s gamble: Turkey bets on Libya to pursue East Med dominance

The prospect of Libya’s eastern-based parliament approving a crucial maritime deal with Turkey is growing as Ankara-Benghazi rapprochement intensifies.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Latest News

Turkey defense chief meets Saddam Hifter as thaw with Libya continues

Turkish Defense Minister Yasaar Guler met with Saddam Hifter, Libyan National Army’s ground forces commander, on the sidelines of IDEF25 defense fair, July 23, 2025

Turkey's Fidan heads to New York for Cyprus talks as Libya tensions flare

Giorgos Gerapetritis (L), foreign minister of Greece, speaks with Hakan Fidan (R), foreign minister of Turkey during the second meeting of North Atlantic Council of foreign ministers at NATO headquarters, Brussels, Dec. 4, 2024.

Libya, Turkey sign agreement to deepen military ties: What to know

People wave flags of Libya (R) and Turkey (L) during a demonstration in the Martyrs' Square in the center of the Libyan capital Tripoli on June 21, 2020.

Analysis

Dbeibeh’s militia gambit: Power consolidation or prelude to more Libya chaos?

Libyan security forces stand guard at the entrance of Abu Salim Zoo as workers carry out maintance work in the capital Tripoli on May 28, 2025. From May 12 to 15, the Libyan capital was rocked by fighting between an armed group aligned with the Tripoli-based government and factions it has sought to dismantle. Relative calm has since returned, but the situation remains highly volatile as calls grow for the resignation of Dbeibah (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Members of the self-proclaimed eastern Libyan National Army (LNA) special forces gather in the city of Benghazi, on their way to reportedly back up fellow LNA fighters on the frontline west of the city of Sirte, facing forces loyal to the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), on June 18, 2020. - The resurgent GNA has vowed to push on for Sirte, late Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi's hometown and the last major settlement before the traditional boundary between western Libya and strongman Khalifa H

Russia increased Wagner deployments as Hifter’s offensive faltered, UN report says

A new UN report backs US claims that Russia sent more fighters to Libya as Turkey intervened against Hifter.

A fighter loyal to Libya's UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) poses for a picture while seated in the turret a technical (pickup truck mounted with turret) in the town of Tarhuna, about 65 kilometres southeast of the capital Tripoli on June 5, 2020, after the area was taken over by pro-GNA forces from rival forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar. - The GNA said on June 5 that it was back in full control of Tarhouna, the last stronghold of the forces of eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar. The

Libya at ‘critical juncture’ as foreign sponsors defy arms embargo, UN warns

UN acting Libya Envoy Stephanie Williams told the Security Council that foreign powers are fortifying their assets at air bases in the east and west of the war-torn country.

Prime Minister of Libya's UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj (R) meets with Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu at the GNA's presidential headquarters in the capital Tripoli on June 17, 2020. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

What is Turkey’s role in Tripoli political tremor?

The power struggle inside the Tripoli government is drawing Turkey into a political brouhaha with unpredictable consequences.

President of the Presidency Council of the Government of National Accord of Libya Faiez Mustafa Serraj delivers a speech at the UN Human Rights Council's main annual session on February 24, 2020 in Geneva. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

Intel: Libya’s Sarraj suspends interior minister, fracturing Tripoli government

Fathi Bashagha has requested an investigation into his alleged conduct be televised.

Libyans chant slogans during a demonstration due to poor public services at the Martyrs' Square at the centre of the GNA-held Libyan capital Tripoli on August 25, 2020. - Angered by chronic water, power, and petrol shortages in a country with Africa's largest proven crude oil reserves, the mostly young people had marched through the city centre chanting slogans including "No to corruption!" (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Libya's Tripoli authorities mandate 24-hour curfew to stem protests

A round-the-clock lockdown underway in Libya follows days of anti-government protests in the capital city.

Hifter’s forces rebuff Tripoli’s call for cease-fire in Libya war

LNA spokesman Maj. Gen. Ahmed al-Mismari said Tripoli's call for a cease-fire is not serious.

Turkey says it is institution-building through military training in Libya

A new military training agreement between Ankara, Doha and Tripoli demonstrates Turkey’s institution-building efforts in Libya, but the success of these efforts will mainly depend on the support of Western powers.

Egyptian parliament members attend a general session in the capital Cairo on July 20, 2020. - Egypt's parliament greenlighted behind a closed-doors session later today, the possible deployment of troops in Libya to support Cairo's ally Khalifa Haftar, if rival Turkish-backed forces recapture the city of Sirte, the house said. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

What messages did Egypt’s top military official carry to Libya’s Hifter?

The head of Egypt’s military intelligence agency visited military strongman Khalifa Hifter in Libya, coinciding with visits by Turkish and Qatari officials to the rival Tripoli-based government.

Fighters loyal to the UN-recognised Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) ride in a technical (pickup truck mounted with turret) along a road in the Qasr bin Ghashir district south of the Libyan capital Tripoli on June 4, 2020, after the area was taken over by pro-GNA forces following clashes with rival forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar. - The GNA said on June 4 that it was back in full control of the capital and its suburbs after more than a year of fighting off an offensive by eastern strongma

Libyan sides declare cease-fire, call for return to political process

Libya's Tobruk-based government reciprocated a call for a cease-fire by the UN-backed government in Tripoli, in a potential breakthrough for peace.

Why did Hifter's forces host Libyan army celebration in Cairo?

The presence of senior government figures and military leaders from Egypt and Libya at the Libyan National Army anniversary in Cairo clearly shows that Egypt and its army will always have Libya’s back against Turkish influence.

Intel: US engaging with Libya players for possible demilitarization of Sirte

US officials have discussed with foreign governments the possibility of establishing a demilitarized area in and around the Libyan city of Sirte, Washington’s Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland said Monday.

Trump administration goes for ‘360 degree’ diplomacy to help end Libya war

White House calls for cease-fire as Egypt-Turkey rivalry spills over into eastern Mediterranean.