LNA forces seize Sirte city

CAIRO – 6 January 2020: The Libyan National Army forces managed on Monday to seize the city of Sirte after attacking from five military axes to control several vital areas in the city such as Sirte port and Ghardabiya Airbase, according to Youm7.

LNA navy forces off the city’s coast entirely seized Sirte port in north of the country after Tripoli government’s unlawful militias suffered significant losses that forced them into withdrawing from the city.

The city was a vital station for the unlawful militias fighting for Tripoli government, it was attacked by LNA troops from both the eastern and southern axes, according to the LNA spokesperson.

The LNA troops managed to defeat “Al Sa’adi” battalion, which is considered to be one of the strongest factions fighting for Tripoli government, to have the current battles transferred to the 17th gate east of the city.

The LNA forces headed by General Khalifa Haftar launched a military offensive in April to end the control of the outlawed militias in the capital city of Tripoli.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry will host on Wednesday a coordinating meeting that involves the foreign ministers of France, Italy, Greece, and Cyprus to discuss the rapid developments in Libya.

The meeting will address the means of pushing forward efforts to reach a comprehensive settlement to the Libyan crisis and removing all hurdles to efforts exerted on this score.

The ministers will also discuss the conditions in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

On January 2, 2020, the Turkish Parliament voted for Erdogan’s proposal to send Turkish troops to Libya after signing two deals in February 2019 on drawing maritime borders in the Mediterranean Sea- one of the largest natural gas resources in the region- and on enhancing military cooperation.