Egypt has announced that they are establishing a new commando force as part of their navy. This force will work with Libya’s self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) to block Turkey from getting its ships to the Libyan coast.
Egypt has long backed Gen. Khalifa Hafter’s coup attempt in Libya, in which his LNA are aiming to take the capital of Tripoli. The Government of National Accord (GNA), in Tripoli, is backed by Turkey, and Turkish officials have promised to keep sending military support.
Turkey’s support includes sending arms, and smuggling in Syrian rebels to fight against the LNA. Egypt has been working with the LNA on trying to keep Turkish ships from getting more forces in, and now it seems Egypt is going to get directly involved.
The LNA has substantial backing from foreign powers, including Egypt and most of the Gulf Arab states. Turkey is one of the few nations publicly backing the GNA, and has since the GNA gave them exploration rights for offshore oil and gas.
