Libya: Clashes renew as rivals seek to control Tripoli

By Walid Abdullah

TRIPOLI (AA) – Fresh clashes erupted between rival forces south of Tripoli on Monday amid an attempt by East Libya-based commander Khalifa Haftar to wrestle control of the Libyan capital, according to a military source.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the violence renewed in al-Khula, south of Tripoli, after an attempt by Haftar’s forces to advance toward Salahuddin district in the capital.

He said Haftar’s forces managed to seize control of al-Yarmouk camp in southern Tripoli.

In early April, Haftar, who commands forces loyal to Libya’s eastern government, launched a campaign to capture Tripoli from the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA).

Libya has remained beset by turmoil since long-serving leader Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and killed in a bloody NATO-backed uprising in 2011.

Since then, the oil-rich country has seen the emergence of two rival seats of power: one in eastern Libya, to which Haftar is affiliated, and another in Tripoli, which enjoys UN recognition.