While the world has been watching the drama between the United States and Iran…
January 8, 2020: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Erdogan have announced a cease fire in Libya effective 00:00 (midnight) on January 12, 2020.
Putin and Erdogan got together in Istanbul, Turkey to reach the deal. On the surface, it would appear Russia and Turkey are on opposite sides of the conflict.
Russian special forces have been in Libya since March of 2017. Russia supports General Khalifa Haftar of the Libyan National Army (LNA). There are an estimated 2,500 Russian troops in Libya per the Turks.
Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) has requested Turkey’s military support. The GNA has the support of the United Nations. As of the posting of this blog, Turkey has sent an estimated 35 troops and this per Turkish state run news outlets.
See the New York Times article below for more details.
Check out al-Monitor for a Middle East perspective.
Oil and money are at the heart of the issue. Libya has the largest oil reserves in Africa. Production is approximately 700,000 barrels per day. With political stability and safety, production could increase to 2,500,000 barrels per day.
The backdrop of the announcement was Russia and Turkey announcing the Turkstream Pipeline. The pipleline carries natural gas from Russia to the west under the Black Sea to Turkey. From there, natural gas is distributed to southern Europe.
“We hosted the President of Serbia (Aleksandar Vucic) and Bulgarian Prime Minister (Boyko Borissov) here, also there are some guests from other countries in Southern Europe. This gas will directly go to these countries: Greece, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, (Serbia), Bulgaria, maybe Romania, and then go to Hungary and Austria.” -Sakir Arikan, Managing Director of TurkAkim Gas
“The supply of Russian gas through TurkStream will undoubtedly be of great importance not only for the economy of Turkey and the Black Sea region, but will also have a positive impact on the development of many South European countries, and will contribute to improving the energy security of Europe in general,” stated Vladimir Putin.
Russia is also supporting Turkey with the Akkuyu nuclear power plant which is scheduled to come on line later in 2020.
https://www.rt.com/business/477097-russia-turkey-turkstream-launch/
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Ancient Magog (Russia) and his brothers Meshech, Gomer, and Tubal (Turkey) have come together in the name of peace in Libya. Turkey and Russia are drawing closer for economic benefit. The prophet Ezekiel said they would form an alliance at some point in the future. Who knew it would take about 2,600 years from when it was written?
Ezekiel 38:1-3 The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal.
Ezekiel 38:6 Gomer and all his hordes; Beth-Togarmah from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes—many peoples are with you.
