Libyan government forces retake two bases from Haftar

By Afra Aksoy

TRIPOLI, Libya (AA) – Forces loyal to Libya’s UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) recaptured two military bases near the capital Monday from commander Khalifa Haftar, according to GNA’s social media account.

The counteroffensive, called “Volcano of Anger”, repelled attacks conducted by Haftar’s forces in Tripoli and other cities, retaking Yarmouk and as-Sawareh military bases, according to the social media posts.

Some 23 forces of Haftar were captured during the operation, it said.

GNA forces also recaptured Tripoli International Airport from Haftar, according to a local military source.

Meanwhile, flights returned to normal at Mitiga airport in the capital after it was targeted earlier Monday by warplanes affiliated with Libya’s eastern government and forces loyal to Haftar.

Last Thursday, Haftar launched military operations with the aim of capturing Tripoli. After initial success, however, the campaign appeared to have ground to a halt Monday.

Libya has remained beset by turmoil since 2011, when a bloody, NATO-backed uprising led to the ouster and death of strongman Muammar Gaddafi after four decades in power.

Since then, the country’s stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of power: one in the eastern city of Al-Bayda, with which Haftar is associated, and another in Tripoli, which has UN support.

*Writing by Nilay Kar Onum