Libya: GNA forces announce capture of airbase from LNA
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan forces allied to the Government of National Accord (GNA) on Wednesday announced the takeover of al-Wattia Airbase which was under control of the Libyan National Army (LNA) in the south-west of the country.
The chief of the joint operations room of Operation Volcano of Anger, Gen. Osama al-Jouili said the takeover was carried out under Operation Tempest of Peace, at the moment when the tension rose to its height in the last 24 hours, in spite of the call for a humanitarian truce to prevent the coronavirus pandemic.
Gen. al-Jouili said, "this decision was taken in response to the continuous bombardments in the districts of Tripoli", referring to "the capture of elements" belonging to the LNA led by Marshal Khalifa Haftar, according to a press release published on the website of Volcano of Anger.
He said that the troops of Hafter captured at al-Wattia Airbase, included foreigners.
On his part, the director of orientation of the LNA, Khaled al-Mahjoub, claimed that his forces succeeded in repelling an attack on the airbase of al-Wattia.
Haftar's military al-Karama operations room media center said: "Our forces repelled a major attack on the al-Wattia base, defeating the attackers and causing them huge losses."
In addition, the GNA forces announced that the building of the Body of help and emergencies, located in al-Sbia, was bombed on Wednesday.
The same source pointed out that the bombing targeted, in addition to al-Sbia, the areas of Bab Ben Ghachir, Ras Hassan, Tarik al-Sour and Bir Touta, in the capital Tripoli, noting that three citizens were injured.
Bombings and missile fire have intensified in the past 24 hours, despite the two warring sides' acceptance of a truce at the call of eight countries including the United States, the European Union and the United Nations, to give Libyan authorities the opportunity to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, the first case of which was recorded in Libya on Tuesday.
The Acting Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Stephanie Williams, has condemned violations of the truce, including the bombing of Aïn Zara area, south of Tripoli by the LNA.
-0- PANA BY/JSG/KND/AR 25March2020
