WHAT WAS THE SHIP "BANA" CARRYING?

Lebanese Ship "Bana" Investigated for Arms Smuggling and Transporting Mercenaries to Libya.

Genoa, Italy - The Lebanese Ro-Ro vessel "Bana" has been caught in the crosshairs of international scrutiny, with accusations of arms smuggling and mercenary transport between Turkey and Libya. The ship was intercepted by French warships and brought to Genoa, Italy, for investigation by Italian anti-terrorism and anti-mafia special forces.

Italian Allegations and Crew Member Cooperation

Italian media outlets allege that "Bana" was accompanied by a Turkish Navy vessel before its capture (Maritime Bulletin). Furthermore, they accuse the ship of being involved in at least three instances of arms smuggling and transporting mercenaries from Syria to Libya. According to these reports, one crew member cooperates with Italian authorities, providing extensive information about the countries involved.

Investigations and Legal Issues

Italian authorities are currently conducting a comprehensive investigation into the case, focusing on potential violations of the following:

• International arms trafficking: The movement of weapons between nations without proper authorization is a severe transnational offense.
• UN arms embargo violation: The United Nations has imposed an arms embargo on Libya, and any breach of this embargo is a punishable offense.
• Use and transport of mercenaries: The recruitment, use, financing, and training of mercenaries are prohibited under the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing, and Training of Mercenaries, which both Libya and Syria are signatories to.

As part of the investigation, one crew member has reportedly requested asylum in exchange for their testimony, highlighting the potential severity of the accusations.

Turkish Involvement and the Use of Syrian Fighters.

The involvement of the Turkish Navy with "Bana" and the alleged transportation of Syrian fighters raise additional concerns. While the Turkish government has not denied transporting Syrian fighters to Libya, some experts argue that this action constitutes a war crime under the convention above.

The convention defines mercenaries as individuals who are not part of a state's official armed forces, are not nationals of any of the parties involved in the conflict, and are motivated primarily by financial gain. While some Turkish foreign policy experts believe the situation might be overlooked due to the presence of Russian mercenaries in Libya or Russia's position as a UN Security Council member, legal experts like Todds S. Milliard clarify that the convention holds states, not private companies, accountable for war crimes related to mercenary use.

Misinformation and Potential Consequences

The article also criticizes the misinformation surrounding the case, particularly claims suggesting that not signing the mercenary convention exempts a country from accusations of war crimes or that the presence of Russian mercenaries justifies similar actions by Turkey. It emphasizes that Libya, the territory where the mercenaries are allegedly being used, and Syria, where they are recruited, are both signatories to the convention, making these arguments invalid.

Furthermore, the article warns that not only those directly involved in arms trafficking and mercenary operations but also those who provide bureaucratic, military, or even propaganda support could face legal repercussions, including potential prosecution by the International Criminal Court.

The Issue of Syrian Fighters and Turkish Citizenship

The article also delves into the controversial issue of Turkish citizenship being offered to Syrian fighters who participate in the Libyan conflict. It mentions allegations made by a Turkish opposition politician regarding the promise of Turkish citizenship to Syrian fighters after six months of service in Libya. These claims, along with questions raised in the Turkish parliament regarding the presence of Turkish military forces in Libya, highlight the complex and sensitive nature of the situation.

Under the agreement, mercenaries do not belong to the state's official armed forces, do not have a citizen of any of the conflicting parties, and whose primary purpose is to make money or gain financial benefit.

Turkish Backed Fighters 1

Turkish Backed Fighters 2

Turkish Opposition Raises Concerns Over Alleged Offer of Citizenship to Syrian Fighters in Libya.

Ankara, Turkey - A Turkish opposition politician has ignited controversy by alleging that the ruling party, the AKP, has offered Syrian fighters citizenship in exchange for fighting in Libya. Lutfu Turkkan, Deputy Chairman of the IYI Party, raised the issue in the Turkish parliament, questioning the government's involvement in the Libyan conflict and its treatment of Syrian fighters.

Allegations and Questions:

Citizenship Offer: Turkkan claimed that the AKP promised Syrian fighters from the Free Syrian Army (FSA) stationed in Idlib, Syria, a salary of $1,500 and guaranteed Turkish citizenship after six months of fighting in Libya.

Turkish Military Presence: Turkan further questioned whether Turkish military personnel were present in Libya, prompting inquiries about:

Past deployments of Turkish troops in Libya.

The existence of any official Turkish military presence in the country.

Potential collaboration between Turkish armed forces and defense companies operating in Libya.

Use of Syrian Fighters: Turkan expressed concerns about the potential use of FSA fighters as a primary fighting force in Libya, mirroring their role in Syria.

Unanswered Questions and Concerns:

Turkan's allegations and questions remain unaddressed by the Turkish government, leaving the public with unanswered questions and fueling concerns about:

• Transparency: The lack of clarity surrounding the government's involvement in the Libyan conflict raises concerns about transparency and accountability.
• Legality: The alleged offer of citizenship to foreign fighters in exchange for military service raises questions about the legality of such a practice under international law.
• Ethical Implications: Utilizing foreign fighters, particularly in a conflict where various groups are engaged, presents ethical concerns regarding potential human rights violations and the further destabilization of the region.

parliamentarlemento question proposal 1

parliamentarlemento question proposal 2

Ankara, Turkey - A Turkish opposition politician, Abdullatif Sener, has criticized the alleged offer of incentives to Syrian fighters in exchange for their participation in the Libyan conflict. Sener, a deputy from the CHP party, took to Twitter to express his concerns, using sarcastic language to highlight the absurdity of the purported strategy.

Sener's Statement:

"Six months deployed in Libya, Turkey-backed groups in Syria have been promised Turkish citizenship. Some of them have already received their citizenship and passports in recent months. They were also told they would receive a salary of $2,000, citizenship, and 'lots of money for mental patients.' It's a great strategy," Sener stated, using the last sentence ironically.

Author: Emre Sariyel