The Libyan National Army (LNA) is preparing to launch a wide-scale operation against Tripoli, calling on the capital’s youth to prepare for “zero hour.”
Informed military sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that LNA commander Khalifa Haftar is expected to deliver a speech to his forces deployed on the outskirts of Tripoli “to storm the city in the coming days.”
The necessary arrangements have been taken to “cleanse” the capital of all terrorist and extremist elements, they added.
The LNA’s media office confirmed that its troops deployed around the capital were “ready and awaiting” the final orders to attack the remaining members of the “Turkish-Qatari militias.”
The LNA accuses Turkey and Qatar of backing militias loyal to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord, headed by Fayez al-Sarraj.
The GNA, meanwhile, announced that it thwarted on Friday an LNA attack against the Yarmuk camp in southern Tripoli. It also said it launched 12 airstrikes in the past 72 hours against LNA positions.
In a statement, the government said it was following with concern information of a new military escalation by “hostile” forces against Tripoli.
It stressed that its forces were prepared to confront and deter any new assault, calling on the United Nations mission in the country and international community to assume their responsibilities towards Libya.
The UN mission said Saturday that it was exerting efforts with local and foreign powers to avert the escalation and safeguard civilians.
