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Türkiye and Libya will sign a defense cooperation memorandum during Libyan acting Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Abdulsalam Zubi's official visit to Ankara, Turkish defense officials announced Thursday.
Turkish Deputy Defense Minister Musa Heybet will sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering defense and security cooperation with the visiting Libyan delegation, according to Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk, Turkish Defense Ministry spokesperson.
Defense Minister Yasar Guler also met with his Libyan counterpart during the visit.
"Our Defense Minister will meet with the Libyan Acting Defense Minister today," Akturk said during the ministry's weekly press briefing.
"Deputy Defense Minister Musa Heybet will sign a Memorandum of Understanding covering cooperation in defense and security fields with the Libyan Acting Defense Minister who is conducting an official visit," he added.
The ministry did not disclose specific details about the planned cooperation agreements' contents.
Akturk provided updates on the July 6 tragedy in the Claw-Lock Operation area where 12 Turkish soldiers died from exposure to methane and carbon monoxide gas.
"The administrative investigation launched immediately regarding the incident continues, and the event is being examined in detail from all aspects," he stated.
The soldiers were conducting search operations for the remains of First Lt. Nuri Melih Bozkurt, killed in action (KIA) on May 28, 2022. Gas readings in the cave identified carbon monoxide, methane, and hydrogen sulfide, with oxygen levels dropping to 19%. Ventilation systems were deployed to restore safe levels for recovery teams.
Defense Minister Guler visited the region with Chief of General Staff General Metin Gurak and force commanders following the incident.
Akturk reported that 221 individuals, including nine suspected terrorists, were apprehended attempting to cross Türkiye’s borders illegally in the past week. Another 1,017 were prevented from crossing.
From Jan. 1 to date, 3,304 people have been arrested and 41,920 blocked from illegal crossings. Over 100 kilograms of narcotics were seized near the Edirne and Hatay borders, according to the Ministry of Defense spokesperson.
The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) also continue tunnel neutralization efforts in Syria’s operation zones, Akturk said. To date, 212 kilometers of tunnels in Tel Rifat and 246 kilometers in Manbij have been destroyed.
Akturk reiterated Türkiye's stance on the ongoing conflict in Gaza, condemning Israeli operations in Palestinian territories. "Israel must cease all interventions and illegal settlements and withdraw from all occupied Palestinian lands," he said.
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