UPDATE - Libya army destroys air defense systems used by Haftar

UPDATES WITH AIRSTRIKES AGAINST HAFTAR MILITIAS IN TARHUNA, MORE DETAILS

By Walid Abdullah and Enes Canli

TRIPOLI, Libya, ANKARA (AA) – The Libyan army on Wednesday destroyed a Russian-made Pantsir-type air defense system in the city of Tarhouna, southeast of Tripoli, according to a military spokesman.

"Our forces managed to destroy four Pantsir-type air defense systems on Wednesday, including three in Tarhouna," Mohamed Qanunu, a spokesman for the government-led Operation Volcano of Rage, said in a statement.

The spokesman said army forces also carried out five airstrikes against positions of Haftar's militias in Tarhouna.

A United Arab Emirates-made Nimr type armored personnel carrier, one howitzer and three armed vehicles were also destroyed, he added.

Earlier Wednesday, the Libyan army announced its continued progress towards liberating the town of al-Asaba, southeast of Tripoli, from warlord Khalifa Haftar's militia.

The army said retaking al-Asaba is essential to liberating the city of Tarhouna further south as it will help cut off supply lines to Haftar's forces.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, military spokesman Mustafa al-Majei said a rescue plan for the city of Tarhuna is ready and the operation will be completed soon.

Tarhouna is a major focal point for supply lines for Haftar’s militias from Al-Jufra airbase.

Libya’s army on Monday retook Al-Watiya Airbase occupied by Haftar's militias, a key facility now back under government control after some six years under putschist forces.

The move came after the Libyan army destroyed three Russian-made Pantsir type air defense systems used by Haftar’s forces that were supplied by the United Arab Emirates.
Libya's government has been under attack by Haftar's forces since April 2019, with more than 1,000 killed in the violence.

Following the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya's government was founded in 2015 under a UN-led political deal.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz, Ahmed Asmar