Al-Jufra airbase in central Libya. Via Google Earth
The Libyan National Army (LNA) announced early on September 13 that its air-defense units had shot down a Turkish unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) near a key airbase in the central part of the country.
“The plane was shot down after taking off from Misrata Air Base, before it could target the al-Jufra Air Base,” the LNA’s media center said in a statement.
Turkey is operating Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs from several airbases in northwestern Libya to support the Government of National Accord (GNA). However, it is unclear yet if the allegedly downed drone was of this type.
Located in the heart of Libya, al-Jufra Airbase is one of the main headquarters of the LNA. Last June, a Russian-made Pantsir-S1 air-defense system of the UAE military was spotted near the airbase. The system may have been used to shot down the drone.
The LNA claims that several Turkish UCAVs were shot down over the last few months. However, it is yet to present any evidence.