Renewed fighting in southern Tripoli
At least three fighters aligned with Libya’s U.N.-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) were killed in an offensive on Saturday aimed at pushing back eastern forces led by commander Khalifa Haftar.
The clashes between the GNA forces and Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) came after nearly a month of calm.
Libyan Army forces attacked Haftars’s militia groups on several frontlines including Ain Zara, Wadi Rabea, Sabia’a, Souq Alsabt, Souq Alkhamies, Altwaisha Zatarna, and the airport.
“Three fighters allied to GNA from Misrata were killed in the offensive in Tripoli this morning,” the witness from the coastal city, some 200 km (124 miles) east of Tripoli, told Reuters.
An LNA military source said the offensive was repelled and the LNA maintained its positions.
The source added five LNA troops were injured. Neither side claimed significant advances.
The Libya Observer also reports that in Bani Walid town, Libyan Airforce attacked trucks carrying multiple rocket launchers for Haftar’s armed groups.
Earlier, a militia leader said their forces had finished preparations for a massive offensive to enter Tripoli.
Meanwhile, spokesperson of warlord Khalifa Haftar’s armed groups Ahmed Al-Mismari said their forces repelled the attacks, claiming the attacks were backed by “Turkish officers”.
