LIBYAN NATIONAL ARMY MOVES CLOSER TO TRIPOLI AMID PROTESTS IN CITY

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Over April 12th and 13rd, both Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) and the Government of National Accord’s forces claimed to be making significant progress in the fight for Tripoli.

On the side of the LNA, the LNA spokesperson said that while the LNA Air Force tries to limit damage and accurately strike targets, the GNA Air Force doesn’t concern itself with that.

Combat aircraft that flew out of Misrata airbase on April 12th, hit houses of civilians and caused significant human and material damage without regard to international laws on human rights,

“We condemn those criminal acts and affirm that we will pursue all those who have caused harm to civilians.”

The LNA also announced that the Air Force was targeting enemy positions in the outskirts of Tripoli.

Furthermore, air force strikes would be ramped up in the following days.

The LNA announced that it is making significant gains along all axes towards Tripoli.

There was a photograph of an LNA Air Force airstrike against GNA targets in Tripoli on the morning of April 13th.

The LNA appeared to have reversed any progress of the GNA’s counter-attack on April 10th, by re-entering the area of al-Sawani southwest of the Libyan capital, Tripoli. It is also reportedly still in control of the Tripoli International Airport.

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The LNA Air Force also hit two government positions in a push to seize the city.

On the side of the GNA, it announced that its air force carried out a strike on the Maitika International Airport.

The GNA also claimed that it was capable of destroying two Tiger armored combat vehicles of the LNA.

Finally, the GNA claimed that five LNA soldiers were captured after clashes near Tripoli.

It appears that according to over-all reports the LNA is gaining the upper hand, but the social media propaganda from both sides continues.

Protests in support of the GNA took place across Tripoli in against a potential military rule by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

More than 1,000 people gathered in central Tripoli to demand Haftar stop the advance on the city.

Protesters, amid the echoing of explosions and gunfire, took to the capital’s street to show their opposition to Haftar and foreign intervention, carrying banners reading “Haftar is a war criminal” and “France, hands off Libya.”

Meanwhile, on April 11th, the EU High Representative on Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini called on an end to the fighting in Libya.

“The military attack launched by the LNA on Tripoli and the subsequent escalation in and around the capital are endangering civilians, including migrants and refugees, and disrupting the UN-led political process, with the risk of serious consequences for Libya and the wider region, including the terrorist threat.

The European Union and its Member States call on all parties to immediately cease all military operations. The LNA and all the forces that have moved into Tripoli or its vicinity must withdraw and the humanitarian truces called by the UN must be heeded. The European Union reminds the parties in this confrontation that they must respect international law, including international humanitarian law, and that those who violate it will be held accountable.”

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