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Haftar brings in foreign forces to attack Tripoli: GNA

Haftar's forces have been trying to capture Tripoli from the GNA forces

News Service
13:41 - 30/07/2019 Tuesday
Update: 13:43 - 30/07/2019 Tuesday
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File photo
File photo

A Libyan military commander on Tuesday accused Khalifa Haftar, who commands rival forces in eastern Libya, of bringing in foreign troops to attack the capital Tripoli.

"There is intelligence information about launching airstrikes [on Tripoli] by bringing foreign parties [into Libya]," Osama al-Juwaili, commander of the military West Zone of the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), said.

He, however, did not elaborate on the identity of the foreign forces, saying that his forces have taken "unpredictable measures" against the possible attacks.

Since early April, forces loyal to Haftar have been launching a campaign to capture Tripoli from the GNA forces.

Clashes between the two sides since then have left more than 1,000 people dead and about 5,500 wounded, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Libya has remained beset by turmoil since 2011, when long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and killed in a bloody NATO-backed uprising after four decades in power.

The oil-rich country has since seen the emergence of two rival seats of power: one in eastern Libya, with which Haftar is affiliated, and the Tripoli-based GNA, which enjoys UN recognition.

#Khalifa Haftar
#Libya
#Tripoli
5 years ago