Turkiye pivots to eastern Libya as regional dynamics shift

Turkiye is deepening its military and technical cooperation with Libya’s eastern authorities, marking a steady shift in Ankara’s approach to the country and wider region.

After years of backing the internationally recognised government in Tripoli, Ankara has been increasing its engagement with the General Command of Khalifa Haftar, as reported by Al Jazeera on July 20^th, whose self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) has long been supported by Egypt and other regional powers.

The emerging cooperation includes discussions over military facilities and advanced surveillance systems, alongside training programmes in Turkiye for eastern Libyan officers. Turkish defence companies are also reportedly involved in the projects.

A security source reported that Saddam Haftar, deputy commander of the eastern forces, is leading the effort through regular meetings with Turkiye’s defence minister and chief of staff. While public statements have referred to expanding military cooperation and exchanging expertise, they have not explicitly confirmed plans for Turkish military bases or drone deployments.

Saddam Haftar’s growing engagement with Ankara has highlighted the thaw in relations between Turkiye and eastern Libya, with his repeated visits and high-level meetings signalling a shift from their past rivalry towards closer military and diplomatic cooperation.

The growing Turkish presence in eastern Libya have raised concerns in Cairo, which has historically regarded the area as part of its geopolitical sphere of influence. However, Egyptian sources indicate that Ankara’s recent engagement has been coordinated with Egypt.

Brigadier General Samir Ragheb, director of the Arab Foundation for Development Strategic Studies, said Egypt and Turkiye have reached their highest level of coordination across several areas, including military affairs. He argued that cooperation with Haftar’s camp could also support Cairo’s efforts to limit the LNA’s backing for Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces.

Reuters reported in April 2026 that satellite imagery showed Chinese-made Feilong-1 and Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones at Al Khadim airbase in eastern Libya. It could not be definitively proved that these drones were directly transferred by Turkiye, only that they are of Turkish origin.

Turkiye’s engagement is also linked to its longer-term economic and geopolitical interests in Libya. Sources suggest Ankara is seeking eastern authorities’ acceptance of the 2019 maritime border agreement signed with the former Government of National Accord. Egypt has not objected to a maritime demarcation based on a Benghazi-Turkiye line, suggesting an understanding between the two countries.

However, the cooperation has yet to develop into a formal strategic or defensive pact. Libyan national security expert Faisal Bualraiga said the relationship allows Haftar to diversify his alliances beyond Russia and the United Arab Emirates, but warned that a permanent Turkish military presence near the Egyptian or Algerian borders could increase regional tensions.

The evolving relationship suggests Libya’s regional dynamics are shifting away from rigid alliances and proxy competition towards more flexible partnerships, with Turkiye and Egypt increasingly prioritising pragmatic cooperation as regional powers hedge their bets against Libya’s shifting mosaic of power and influence.

Al Jazeera, Reuters, Maghrebi.org