The Libyan National Army, commanded by Marshal Khalifa Haftar, reiterated its vow to eliminate the militias that are loyal to the Government of National Accord in Tripoli.
It considered the militias’ resorting to Turkey and Qatar will not help them in the ongoing battles on Tripoli’s outskirts, which have been raging for six months.
A senior military official in the LNA told Asharq Al-Awsat that army forces maintained on Tuesday their new positions that they captured from pro-GNA militias in the Bir Allaq area south of the capital.
The official, who asked to remain anonymous, said the army continues to make advances on the ground to control Aziziyah city, 40 km south of Tripoli. He said it is seeking to cut off supply lines to the militias and isolating Zawiya city, west of Tripoli.
The media center of LNA’s Dignity Operations Room said Monday that the only way out for the militias lies in abiding by the will of the Libyan people, represented by the army.
It stressed that the air force was still carrying out reconnaissance missions and strikes against militias that are affiliated to the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood.
“Our ground forces in various areas will not abandon their weapons and will not stop their march.”
It said militias could now flee, surrender their weapons and leave or face their fate.
Meanwhile, GNA forces said they repelled an attack by the LNA on Aziziyah.
Spokesman for the Volcano of Rage Operation said the forces carried out a large-scale assault, reinforced by air cover, in an attempt to advance on the city.
He, however, the attack was foiled and the positions were fully controlled and reinforced.
He said GNA forces had regained control over Bir Allaq after “criminal gangs and Russian mercenaries fled,” referring to allegations of foreigners fighting alongside the LNA.
