The Libyan National Army (LNA) revealed that it had detected dozens of terrorist fighters that have joined the forces of the Government of National Accord (GNA) that is headed by Fayez al-Sarraj.
An LNA military official told Asharq Al-Awsat that these terrorists were fighting among GNA ranks on several fronts surrounding the capital, Tripoli.
He confirmed that several members of the Ansar al-Sharia group were among the fighters, including Qais Abdulkarim al-Abah and his brother Mohammed, who was killed in the Tripoli battles.
Blacklisted by the United Nations, the political Islam militia emerged after the Libyan revolt. It was led by Mohammed al-Zahawi, who was killed in Benghazi during battles against the LNA in 2014. The Qaeda affiliate had announced its dissolution in May 2017, but its members soon swore allegiance to the ISIS terror group.
An Italian reporter confirmed that Ansar al-Sharia members were fighting in Tripoli alongside forces from Sarraj’s Presidential Council.
LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari had previously accused Turkey of transporting al-Nusra Front extremist group members from Syria to Libya to fight against the LNA.
He had also warned that foreign fighters had also joined pro-GNA forces.
“The army is now combating countries that are supporting the militias and terrorist organizations,” he declared.
