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Libyan National Army’s air force strikes Tripoli international airport

According to the media, the air raid targeted the positions of armed units loyal to Tripoli’s Government of National Accord

© EPA-EFE/STRINGER

CAIRO, April 9. /TASS/. A fighter jet of the Libyan National Army (LNA) under the command of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar has carried out a strike on Tripoli's international airport on Tuesday, Sky News Arabia TV channel reports.

According to the TV channel, the air raid targeted the positions of armed units loyal to Tripoli’s Government of National Accord (GNA) headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. No reports on the aftermath of the air raid have emerged yet.

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Russian Embassy in London refutes media reports on Moscow's support for Libya's Haftar

On Monday, the LNA air force struck the Mitiga airport, which has been acting as an international airport since 2014 when the main national airport was almost fully destroyed during ongoing battles between the opposing factions in Tripoli. Yesterday, following the raid the airport's operation was fully suspended, while all passengers and staff were evacuated. Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Ghassan Salame condemned the strike on the civilian facility, branding it as a brazen violation of international law. LNA Spokesperson Brigadier General Ahmed Al-Mesmari clarified that the raid targeted the GNA’s fighter jets. By the evening, the Mitiga airport had resumed its operation.

In 2011, during the course of the civil war, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed by insurgents which led to devastating consequences for the country both politically and economically. Currently, Libya has two supreme executive authorities, namely Tripoli’s Government of National Accord recognized by the international community and headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and the interim government headed by Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thani, which operates in the country’s east along with the elected parliament and is supported by the Libyan National Army.

On April 4, Haftar announced the launch of an offensive against Tripoli. Sarraj ordered all military units loyal to him to gear up to defend the capital. The warring factions are currently involved in battles along the outskirts of Tripoli.

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