Daesh leader Al-Ruwaidani arrested in Libya by LNA
The Libyan National Army (LNA) announced the
arrest of ISIS leader in Tripoli, consolidating claim of Turkey’s involvement
in bringing terrorists from Syria to fight alongside the Government of National
Accord (GNA) fighters in the North African country.
The LNA, which is led by military commander
Khalifa Haftar, said in a statement that its forces were able to arrest
Mohammed al-Ruwaidani, known as Abu Bakr al-Rowaidani, one of the most
dangerous IS elements in Syria, in the fighting in Tripoli.
The statement said that Rowaidani had moved
to Libya by the Turkish intelligence, as the Emir of the Levant Legion.
He was arrested while fighting alongside
Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj’s militias, which are led by Turkish military
officers.
The LNA said that Rowaidani’s arrest
operation was further evidence of the relationship between Turkish President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan and extremist group despite his claim of fighting
terrorism.
Spokesperson for the Libyan National Army
(LNA) Ahmed al-Mismari announced that the army units arrested Al-Ruwaidani in
Tripoli, describing him as one of the most dangerous Daesh leaders from Syria.
Al-Ruwaidani, the emir of Faylaq al Sham,
was moved to Libya by the Turkish intelligence service to join militias of
Fayez al-Sarraj's government who are led by Turkish officers, Mismari said,
adding that this represents a new evidence on relations between Turkey's Recep
Tayyip Erdogan and Daesh terrorist group and extremist groups in general.
The LNA has arrested dozens of Syrian
mercenaries sent by the Turkish government to fight alongside extremist groups
in Libya.
Observers believe that Turkey is seeking to
get rid of the most extremist leaders by removing them from Syria and sending
them to fight in the battle for Tripoli alongside the GNA forces.
Erdogan publicly admitted the Turkish
military intervention in Libya and the sending of thousands of mercenaries to
fight Haftar’s forces, drawing an international criticism, including its
violation of the UN arms embargo on Libya.
The International Crisis Group reported
last month that Turkey had reportedly sent around 100 officers as well as
aerial defence and other weapon systems since last January.
“As Ankara’s allies in Tripoli attempt
counterattacks against pro-Haftar strongholds in other parts of the country,
Turkey risks being dragged into a war well beyond what it originally signed up
for,” said the Crisis Group.
“Further escalation is a distinct risk and
could both backfire for Turkey and come at the expense of Libyans at large,” it
added.
