3 killed in UAE drone attacks in Libya

By Waleed Abdullah

TRIPOLI (AA) – Three people were killed in raids by drones operated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Libya on Saturday, the UN-recognized government said.

UAE-operated drones carried out 10 airstrikes on the town of Msallata, east of Tripoli, the media office of the Government of National Accord (GNA) said in a statement.

It said three people were killed in the attacks.

According to the statement, drones also carried out two airstrikes on the town of Zliten.

No information was yet available about casualties.

On April 4, military commander Khalifa Haftar, who commands forces based in eastern Libya, launched an offensive to capture the capital Tripoli from GNA forces.

According to UN data, over a thousand people have been killed since the start of the operation and more than 5,000 injured.

Since the ouster and death of ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of power have emerged in Libya: one in eastern Libya supported mainly by Egypt and the UAE, and another in Tripoli, which enjoys UN and international recognition.