Turkey to Deploy Syrian Jihadists to Libya in Bid to Bolster Ankara-Backed Government - Reports

Following threats by the Turkish Defence Ministry of military intervention in Libya to support one of two rival warring governments, the Libyan Government of National Accord (LNA), reports have emerged that personnel from the Free Syrian Army are set to deploy as part of the Turkish offensive. The LNA has reportedly requested a Turkish military intervention to preserve its sovereignty, with the rival forces fo general Khalifa Haftar taking considerable ground and expected to gain control of the country by the end of 2020 - likely much sooner. The Free Syrian Army was established in 2011, and represents an alliance of mostly islamist Western backed militants armed and trained to overthrow the government of Syria. With Western support for these militias declining, Turkey has emerged as their primary supporter and has provided considerable backing and material support to their remaining positions in Syria’s northern regions. Military cooperation between these Syrian jihadist militias and the Turkish armed forces remain close, and militias have provided considerable support to prior Turkish offensives into Syrian territory. Deployments of these auxiliaries has reduced casualties among Turkish personnel themselves. Reports of a Syrian contingent participating in the Turkish offensive are based on statements by Libyan officials addressing the American news outlet Bloomberg.