Libya’s eastern military leader, Khalifa Haftar, has acquired Chinese and Turkish combat drones, despite a UN embargo on supplying weapons to the country.
Satellite images show at least three drones at Al Khadim airbase, including a Chinese-made Feilong-1 and Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones.
The acquisition reinforces Haftar’s hold on eastern Libya and strengthens his negotiating position.
Experts say the drones could be used to defend supply lines to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group. The LNA denies supporting the RSF.
The UN embargo aims to prevent fuel for conflict, but Libya remains divided, with Haftar’s administration in the east and the Tripoli-based government in the west. The drone acquisition marks a significant boost in Haftar’s capabilities, raising concerns about regional stability.
