NATO is to investigate claims that a Turkish navy ship failed to stop for inspection when requested by the French military. The incident, believed to have taken place last month, occurred in the Mediterranean. It is believed that the Turkish ship may have been smuggling arms to Turkish backed militants in Libya. The French armed forces minister raised the incident with NATO defence chiefs, who will now carry out a full investigation.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg speaking at a news conference said:
"My message is that we have made sure that NATO military authorities are investigating the incident to bring full clarity into what happened."
NATO Secretary General @jensstoltenberg: “The incident in the Mediterranean was addressed in the meeting by several Allies. My message is that we have made sure that NATO military authorities are investigating the incident to bring full clarity into what happened.” https://t.co/gVz9hd8w5b
— Ryan Browne (@rabrowne75) June 19, 2020
Turkey and France have been involved in an escalating spat over Libya, with each side supporting a different side in the ongoing Libyan civil war.
If Turkey was to be found arming or training fighters, it would be in contravention of a UN arms embargo on Libya. The civil war has become increasingly heated in recent weeks as it is believed the Turkish back GNA (Government of National Accord) are seeking to capture the strategically important Libyan port of Sirte, with Egypt vowing to invade Libya on the side of the LNA (Libyan National Army) should such an event occur.
French Armed Force Minister Florence Parly said the Turkish navy vessel turned off its communications, refused to identify where it was going, and even aimed light-weapons at the French ship. She went on to say:
"There cannot be any complacency with regard to such behavior. This particularly serious incident must be dealt with and our allies share our concerns because eight European allies gave me clear support today in NATO … This act was extremely aggressive and cannot be one of an ally facing another ally who is doing its work under NATO command."
While Turkey is a member of NATO it has come under increasing criticism for its actions across the Middle-East and North Africa, as well as its current internal politics. The Turkish military has been involved in large-scale bombing of Northern Syria against the Kurds who defeated ISIS, and it has been known to give military backing to the GNA in Libya, which is opposed by France, Russia and Egypt. Turkish president, Recep Erdogan, has increasingly been seen as an Islamist set on ending Turkish democracy and undermining Turkish secularism. Turkey currently has more journalists imprisoned than any other country on earth.
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