The Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, accused Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of funding the shipment of a Ukrainian plane destroyed by his forces at the airbase in Misrata. 

The plane was flying from Turkey carrying a large shipment of weapons for the Government of National Accord (GNA) headed by Fayez al-Sarraj.

LNA spokesman General Brigadier Ahmed al-Mesmari said during a press conference that Emir of Qatar paid for the shipment of the Ukrainian plane, but his plan failed. He noted that Muslim Brotherhood leaders in Qatar and Turkey were greatly frustrated after targeting the plane at the Misrata airport.

Despite announcing what he described as “an airbridge from Turkey and Italy towards Misrata,” Mesmari stressed that the battle in Tripoli has reached its final stages.