The Libyan National Army declared on Monday that it had achieved major field progress in the battle for Tripoli and its outskirts.
LNA media said the forces were close to recapturing the city of Gharyan. It broadcast footage to confirm its capture of Ghout al-Reeh on the outskirts of the city.
It said that the air force destroyed two armored vehicles amid its troop advance on the ground and as militias began to flee Gharyan.
The forces were now marching on Gharyan’s city center.
The LNA had launched on April 4 an operation to liberate Tripoli from terrorist and criminal militias that are loyal to the Government of National Accord.
The GNA, meanwhile, said it was sending military reinforcements to Gharyan after some of its militias acknowledged they were facing difficulties in maintaining their positions against the LNA onslaught.
The GNA had captured Gharyan in late June.
The city, located south of Tripoli, was a key to the LNA supply routes in its attack on Tripoli.
The LNA recapture of the city would be a major blow to the pro-GNA militias and will pave the way for the army to breach the defenses surrounding Tripoli’s southern suburbs.
To ease the pressure off Gharyan, the militias have threatened to attack the city if Tarhuna, southeast of Tripoli. The city, which is held by the LNA, serves as its secondary platform for launching attacks on the capital.
