General Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Belqasim Haftar - Reuters
CAIRO – 26 April 2020: A Libyan military source told Youm7 that since April 4, the Libyan National Army (LNA) has downed around 60 drones that were granted by Turkey to the militias of the Government of National Accord (GNA) in order to impede the advances of the Libyan Armed Forces towards Tripoli.
The GNA is an interim non-elected government that is based in Tripoli, and recognized by the United Nations. After the LNA captured Sirte in January, the GNA has been controlling merely the capital and Misrata. Yet, the LNA has been encircling both and advancing in their outskirts.
CAIRO - 12 April 2020: Spokesperson of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Ahmed al-Mesmary declared on Sunday that the Libyan Armed Forces controlled the western entrance of AbouGrein village lying southern Misrata city. Mesmary announced that, after fleeing, the "enemy" left behind munitions in AbouGrein.
In December, the GNA had signed with Turkey two MoUs on defense and gas drilling in the Mediterranean. As such, Turkey transported more than 6,000 Syrian mercenaries into Libya to fight in the ranks of GNA militias, and sent Turkish military officers and experts to command operations rooms.
The source revealed to Youm7 that the militias aim for weakening Tarhuna town located southeasternTripoli by continuous targeting as it is the main base of the LNA western Libya.
CAIRO - 25 April 2020: Spokesperson of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Ahmed al-Mesmary announced on March 24 that Tarhuna town lying to the southeast of the capital, Tripoli, was struck by more than 20 missiles that hit houses and civilian sites accusing militias of standing behind the aggression.
Last week, General Commander of the LNA, Field MarshelKhalifaHaftar, delivered a speech calling upon the Libyan people to topple the GNA's Presidential Council led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. That is in response to the crimes committed against the Libyan people, and forfeiture of the country's sovereignty by bringing in Syrian mercenaries.
As they attempt to enter Tarhuna, the GNA militias cut electricity, water supply, and communications to the town that has been subject to blockade for weeks. Nevertheless, the town's residents are still backing the Libyan Armed Forces against Tripoli's militias, and dozens have volunteered to join the military and take part in liberating the capital.
Tarhuna is home to dozens of tribes that support the rehabilitation of the state institutions, particularly the army and the police, that were demised in the aftermath of the assassination of late Libyan President Muammar al-Gaddafi when the civil war broke out in 2011.
On April 15, Spokesperson of the LNA Ahmed al-Mesmary held a press conference to reveal updates on operations taking place between the west of Misrata and borders with Tunisia against GNA militias, and Turkey-backed Syrian mercenaries.
Mesmary stated that the LNA is advancing in Ain Zara town, the southern and southwestern parts of Abou Slim district, Aziziyah town, and Salah El-Din districtlocated south of Tripoli, causing human losses among mercenaries and the fall of captives.
A number of vehicles and equipment were destroyed in Assa district by the LNA as militias have been mobilizing to enter Al Watiyah district, whose airbase can be the alternative to Mitiga Airbase, near to which LNA forces are deployed.The militias need an airbase for Turkey to fly drones that attack LNA concentrations.
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