Turkish Airlines (TK, Istanbul Airport) has suspended all operations to and from Libya with immediate effect after the Libyan Air Force (LAF) bombed the airport in the northern coastal town of Misurata on Monday whilst a Turkish Airlines passenger jet was on the tarmac.
In a press release issued earlier this week, the airline said it was suspending its Misurata and Tripoli Mitiga operations indefinitely after the head of the LAF, General Saghar al-Jarouchi, threatened to shoot down Qatari and Turkish aircraft (civil or military) for breaching the official Libyan government's moratorium on the use of Misurata airport. He also accused the two countries of ferrying in soldiers and equipment.
Alongside the ports of Misurata, Sirte, and Zoura, General Al-Jarouchi in November last year declared military jurisdiction over the airports of Misrata and Tripoli Mitiga stating that any aircraft or ships using the facilities would be subject to thorough inspections.
Libya's deposed government, now based in the eastern town of Bayda, said it was now targeting the Libya Dawn, the Islamist faction which seized Tripoli following intense fighting in August this past year.
