Libya: GNA's forces announce the takeover of Al-Wattia air base from Haftar's troops
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The President of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez al-Sarraj, on Monday announced the takeover by government forces of the Al-Wattia air base (south west) from Marshal Khalifa Haftar's troops, a major take-over likely to change the situation of the ongoing conflict around Tripoli.
"We proudly and courageously announce the release of the Al-Wattia military base from the control of criminal militias, terrorists and mercenaries to reach the liberated cities on the west coast" of the country, Mr. al-Sarraj was quoted by a press release issued by the Presidential Council's Media Office as saying.
Fayez al-Sarraj, the supreme army commander of the GNA, said "today's victory does not mark the end of the battle, but brings us closer than ever to the day of the great victory, the liberation of all regions and the elimination of the project of domination and tyranny, which threatens the Libyans to hope to build a civil and democratic State".
Mr. al-Sarraj paid tribute to the "brave soldiers" and the support forces and praised their spirit of sacrifice, while having a thought for "the martyrs who have watered the homeland with their blood".
Earlier, the commander of the joint operations room of government forces, Maj.-Gen. Osama al-Jouweili, announced the takeover of al-Wattia air base.
"This is a huge loss for Marshal Khalifa Haftar's camp, which had made this air base a centerpiece of its offensive plan on the capital Tripoli and the Western region launched in April 2019," according to observers who believe that Haftar's dream of taking control of the capital has evaporated forever.
After the loss of the two strategic cities of Sabratah and Sorman, as well as six other localities on the southwest coast of Libya, it only has the city of Tarhouna (130 km south of Tripoli).
This city is, at present, entirely surrounded by the forces of the Government of national accord and will not fail to fall, in view of the disruption of the supply of Haftar's forces with their rear base in the east of the country.
Since Turkey's support for the government of national accord, under a memorandum of understanding on security and military cooperation, a certain balance has been struck between the two camps in Libya, with a clear advantage for government forces on mastering the skies with drones and fighter jets.
Marshal Haftar is supported by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Russia and France who provide him with military materials and equipment as well as diplomatic and financial support.
-0- PANA BY/JSG/KND/VAO 18May2020
