Libya: Tripoli-based gov't strikes hit Haftar forces

By Gulsen Topcu

TRIPOLI, Libya (AA) - Airstrikes of Libya’s Tripoli-seated Government of National Accord (GNA) Sunday struck forces led by the commander Khalifa Haftar in south of the capital Tripoli, a military official said.

The airstrikes targeted positions around the Valley of Spring and the old airport, Mustafa Al-Majai, a spokesman of the GNA's military operation against Haftar, told Anadolu Agency.

He said the airstrikes destroyed scores of military vehicles.

In April 4, Haftar announced the launch of a campaign to capture Tripoli, which faced a counter-operation by the GNA forces.

Libya has remained beset by turmoil since 2011 when a NATO-backed uprising led to the ouster and death of long-serving President Muammar Gaddafi after more than four decades in power.

Since then, the country’s stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of power -- one in Tobruk led by Haftar, and the UN-recognized one in Tripoli -- and a host of heavily armed militia groups.

*Writing by Burak Bir