Battles Intensify in Tripoli, Militants Surrender to LNA

Clashes between the Libyan National Army and Government of National Accord intensified in the capital Tripoli on Wednesday.

Fierce battles were reported in the al-Sbeaa area in southern Tripoli as LNA chief Khalifa Haftar ordered army commanders to refrain from making statements to the media on the military’s advances.

A senior LNA military official told Asharq Al-Awsat that the situation on the ground was “excellent”.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said that the army was close to liberating Tripoli.

The army carried out a number of airstrikes on GNA positions in the capital, but did not disclose details about human or material losses.

The LNA had launched in April an operation to cleanse the capital of pro-GNA militias.

Meanwhile, LNA media said that a group of militants loyal to the Deterrence Force surrendered to the army.

In the South, the LNA said its jets were continuing to strike positions of Chadian mercenaries in the city of Murzuq.

The strikes were carried out hours after the parliament declared it a violence-stricken city and after the army withdrew its forces.

The GNA seized Murzuq, while the LNA had officially accused ISIS and Chadian opposition groups of controlling the city. It accused the Tripoli-based government of supporting terrorists and outlaws.

The United Nations mission in Libya had this week expressed its concern over the ongoing violence in Murzuq, revealing that at least 90 people were killed in the unrest.