Turkiye and Libya’s Haftar are boosting military ties. Is Egypt worried?

Turkiye is deepening its military collaboration with eastern Libyan forces under the command of General Khalifa Haftar, marking a notable shift in regional dynamics. This development has raised concerns among observers about Egypt's strategic position and its response to the evolving situation. While Turkey has traditionally maintained a close relationship with the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, recent reports indicate a growing alignment with Haftar's self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA). This strategic realignment involves direct military and technical cooperation, including the development of surveillance systems and training programs for eastern Libyan officers conducted within Turkey. The LNA, which has been engaged in prolonged conflict with the Tripoli-based government since the 2014 Libyan civil war, has received backing from several regional powers, including Egypt. However, the increasing involvement of Turkey with the LNA suggests a possible reallocation of resources and alliances in the region. According to exclusive information shared with Al Jazeera, the cooperation between Ankara and the General Command of the LNA encompasses detailed discussions on military infrastructure and advanced technologies. These efforts include specialized training initiatives and participation by Turkish defense firms in the planning and execution of such projects. Saddam Haftar, the deputy commander of the eastern forces, has played a central role in facilitating this partnership. Regular meetings between Haftar and high-ranking Turkish officials, including the defense minister and chief of staff, underscore the seriousness of this collaboration. Although official statements remain vague, referring generally to enhanced military cooperation and exchange of expertise, the underlying implications suggest a more substantial integration of capabilities between the two sides. Despite the apparent expansion of Turkish influence in areas traditionally considered part of Egypt's sphere of interest, Cairo has not expressed overt concern over the developments. An Egyptian source familiar with bilateral relations revealed that Ankara typically coordinates its actions in Libya with Egypt beforehand, thus avoiding direct confrontation. Brigadier General Samir Ragheb, director of the Arab Foundation for Development Strategic Studies, emphasized that Egypt and Turkey have achieved a high degree of coordination across various domains, including military matters. In the context of Sudan's civil war, where both Egypt and Turkey support the Sudanese armed forces against the Renegade Support Forces (RSF), the alignment between the two nations has become even more pronounced. Ragheb suggested that Turkey's engagement with Haftar's faction could indirectly benefit Cairo's strategic objectives by limiting the LNA's support for the RSF. Furthermore, he pointed out that Turkish military installations located further south in Libya pose minimal threat to Cairo and could potentially aid in managing security challenges in the Sahel and Sahara regions. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty recently welcomed Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a diplomatic meeting in Cairo, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two nations. This eastern pivot appears to be aimed at securing Turkey's long-term geopolitical and economic interests while maintaining its influence in Libya irrespective of future political resolutions between the competing factions.