LNA destroys fighter jet on Misrata Airport runway

CAIRO - 7 August 2019: The Libyan National Army (LNA) announced the destruction of an Aero L-39 Albatros fighter jet affiliated to militias on the runway of Misrata International Airport after it had bombed civilians in Tripoli.

The LNA warned in a press release against the use of the airport for military purposes, asserting that any fighter jet that would take off from Misrata Airport will be shot down by the Libyan Air Force.

Units of the Libyan National Armed Forces started moving on July 22 towards combat zones to liberate the capital, Tripoli, from militias and extremist groups, a military source told Egypt Today on condition of anonymity.

The LNA announced earlier in July that Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) targeted the Libyan town of Tarhuna, southeast of Tripoli, in conjunction with Libya’s warnings to Turkey against acts threatening Libyan nationals. Tarhuna is a prominent city hosting the Libyan armed forces east of the country. The unmanned aircrafts are said to be operated remotely by Turkish officers in Tripoli.

In June, Libyan officials told Egypt Today on condition of anonymity that LNA forces were pursuing Islamic State (IS) elements in the south of the country, killing more than a dozen militants over three days. It had also raided a militant hideout in the mountainous area of Haruj.

The General Command of the Libyan National Army (LNA) launched on April 4 the “Dignity Flood” operation to free Tripoli.