The Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Haftar detained Jamaican-flagged Mobooka after it entered restricted waters off Derna.
The Maritime Executive reports that the action by leader of The Libyan National Army (LNA), to detain the Jamaican-flagged Mobooka after it allegedly entered restricted waters, breaks the fragile ceasefire in the area. Analysts consider the incident a reaction to Turkey’s growing intervention in Libyan affairs.
The LNA said the ship was intercepted in a military zone and was towed under escort to port. The 8,500 DWT vessel’s crew is also being detained and consists of nine Turkish nationals, seven Indian nationals and one Azerbaijani citizen.
This is not the first time the vessel has sailed into troubled waters and it has a history of reportedly unpaid bills. Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strongly worded statement and warns of “grave consequences” if Turkey’s interests are interfered with.
