Libya: Haftar militants target two schools with rockets

By Halime Afra Aksoy

ANKARA (AA) - Militants affiliated with renegade Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar targeted two schools with rocket fire, local officials said Monday.

In a statement on social media, Abu Salim Municipality said no one was killed or injured in the attack as the schools were empty at the time.

On Feb. 27, the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) said 21 civilians were killed and 31 wounded amid a relentless military campaign by Haftar’s forces that indiscriminately targeted civilian areas.

Although a ceasefire was reached on Jan. 12, forces loyal to Haftar have repeatedly violated the truce.

Since the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of power have emerged in Libya: Haftar in eastern Libya supported mainly by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, and the GNA in Tripoli, which enjoys UN and international recognition.

Libya's legitimate government has been under attack by Haftar’s forces since last April, with more than 1,000 people killed in the violence.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas