Libyan National Army Downs Another Turkish Drone

The Libyan National Army (LNA) announced Thursday the downing of another Turkish drone.

This was the seventh aircraft to be downed since LNA commander Khalifa Haftar launched his operation to cleanse Tripoli of terrorist and criminal gangs on April 4.

LNA media said the army’s defenses shot down the drone that was flown by terrorist militias and attempting to target the military in al-Jafra region, some 650 kilometers southeast of the capital.

The aircraft was flown from the north and was fired down after it approached the LNA position.

Meanwhile, head of the parliamentary defense and national security committee Talal al-Mayhoub was in Washington for talks with American officials.

He hoped to Asharq Al-Awsat that the strong ties Haftar enjoys with the US administration would be crowned by a visit to Washington soon.

The United States support the LNA’s war on terror and backs its forces, he stressed.

He revealed that he had presented to American officials evidence that prove the crimes of the Muslim Brotherhood, Qatar and Turkey in Libya. He also demanded that Washington sever ties with the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord, headed by Fayez al-Sarraj.

“We spoke at length about the grip the militias have over him and his government,” Mayhoub stated.

Local Libyan media reports, meanwhile, said former oil minister Abdulbari al-Arousi, a Muslim Brotherhood loyalist, was kidnapped by unknown assailants in Tripoli.

On the ground, the Misrata joint security force announced that it had carried out a raid during which it arrested terrorist fugitives that are wanted by the international community.

It identified the detainees as al-Qaeda leaders, who are also wanted by Libyan authorities.

The operation was carried out in Tripoli and the detainees include an Algerian and two Libyans. Weapons, hand grenades and ammunition were seized during the raid.