5 Haftar's commanders killed near Tripoli: GNA

By Alaa Aboueleinin

TRIPOLI (AA) – Five commanders aligned with East Libya-based Khalifa Haftar have been killed in clashes around Tripoli, according to Libya's UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA).

A statement issued by GNA forces did not give any further details and there was no comment from Haftar's forces on the claim.

Since early April, forces loyal to Haftar have been launching a campaign to capture Tripoli from GNA forces.

Clashes between the two sides since then have left more than 1,000 people dead and about 5,500 wounded, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Libya has remained beset by turmoil since 2011, when long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and killed in a bloody NATO-backed uprising after four decades in power.

The oil-rich country has since seen the emergence of two rival seats of power: one in eastern Libya, with which Haftar is affiliated, and the Tripoli-based GNA, which enjoys UN recognition.