Dueling Chinese and Turkish Drone War in Libya

The Libya Observer published on 20 November 2019 an article titled "Libyan Foreign Ministry Calls on Beijing to Act Against the Use of Chinese-made Drones in Killing Libyans" by Safa Alharathy.

The article reports that the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) Foreign Ministry asked visiting Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister, Chen Xiadong, to take a stand against rebel Libyan National Army (LNA) leader Khalifa Haftar's use of Chinese drones supplied by the United Arab Emirates. Chen responded by expressing China's support for the legitimacy of the GNA and asked for evidence of the use of Chinese drones by the LNA against the GNA.

This is an issue that has been developing for years and is complicated by the engagement of various outside actors. The Tripoli-based GNA is recognized by the UN as the legitimate government of Libya. It is supported militarily by Turkey and Qatar. The LNA receives military support from the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Russia. Chinese Wing Loong II drones were first deployed in eastern Libya in 2016 by the LNA. The Chinese drones seem to be owned by the UAE and probably operated by UAE military personnel. UN experts are investigating the use of the Chinese drones and the role of the UAE.

The picture is more complicated, however, as the GNA is using Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones against the LNA forces. The GNA and the LNA are in an air war to destroy the drones on the other side. The use of the Chinese drones in Libya is in violation of a UN embargo on supplying arms to the country.