TRIPOLI

An explosive ordnance disposal team of the Turkish Armed Forces on Friday destroyed a mortar shell fired by warlord Khalifa Haftar’s militia to hit a mosque in southern Tripoli, but it didn’t explode.

Attacks by Haftar militias caused a heavy damage in the mosque, the armed forces confirmed.

Upon an invitation by the Libyan government, the team continued their efforts to neutralize the mines and explosives planted by the Haftar militia in the south of the capital.

Last November, Turkey and Libya signed landmark pacts on military cooperation as well as boundaries in the Mediterranean.

Under the deal, Turkey has sent advisors to help the Libyan Army defeat the militias of warlord Khalifa Haftar.

The Libyan Army recently inflicted heavy blows on Haftar and liberated Tripoli and Tarhuna, in addition to other strategic locations, including Al-Watiya airbase, from his militias.

The internationally recognized government has been under attack by Haftar's forces since April 2019, with more than 1,000 killed in the violence.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz