On 28 October, the Italian news agency Agenzia Nova reported the construction of a new military airbase in the al-Jaghbub oasis area in eastern Libya, just 23 kilometers from the Egyptian border. Construction is reportedly being carried out by the Turkish ATSG Insaat, a company formed from a collaboration between the three construction companies Akteknik, TavSera, and Gonuc. The base includes a 3.6-kilometre runway capable of accommodating heavy transport aircraft, fighters, and drones. Referring to satellite imagery published by Planet Labs PBC, Agenzia Nova reported that work at the base started in June 2025 and continued until recently.
According to the report, the construction is part of a broader programme to strengthen the air and logistical capabilities of the Libyan National Army (LNA). Agenzia Nova states, referring to sources familiar with the matter, that Cairo is primarily concerned that these infrastructures will also be used by foreign powers for military operations and arms transfers, with possible consequences for Egypt’s security and the balance of power in the region. Cairo fears that that strengthening bases and transport infrastructure in eastern Libya could increase the capacity of external actors [e.g the UAE] to support military operations across the border in Sudan.
Furthermore, the report highlights concurrent work at the Maatan al-Sara airbase. According to Agenzia Nova, which has reported about Russia transferring men and equipment to the Maatan al-Sara airbase in January 2025, this base is considered a key hub for the Russian military presence in Libya and for air routes to the Sahel, while its location also allows access to Sudan via a network of roads and tracks that cross the southern desert regions. However, there is no evidence for an involvement of Turkish companies at Maatan al-Sara.
On 29 October, some Libyan media claimed that these baseless reports are designed to stir up discord between Cairo and the LNA, especially amid the ongoing dispute about the 2019 Libya-Turkey maritime MoU.
For the time being, neither the LNA, nor Turkey nor Egypt have officially reacted to the report.