On December 7, forces loyal to the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) announced that they had shot down a Mig-23 warplane of the Libyan National Army (LNA).
In an official statement, the pro-GNA Volcano of Anger operations room said that the warplane was shot down over city of Zawiya, to the west of the Libyan capital Tripoli.
“Our heroic forces succeeded a while ago in shooting down a Mig-23 type warplane of rebel war criminal Haftar [LNA leader], the warplane crashed south of Zawiya after being targeted in the skies of al-Yarmouk axis,” the statement reads.
The Volcano of Anger operations room also released photos showing the wreckage of the warplane, which carried the serial number “26144.”
-
- Click to see full-size image
-
- Click to see full-size image
-
- Click to see full-size image
The Mig’s pilot, identified as Major General Aamer al-Jagam, managed to eject. However, he was immediately captured by GNA forces.
-
- Click to see full-size image
-
- Click to see full-size image
A few hours after the incident, the Volcano of Anger operations room released a video revealing that a Strela-2 man-portable air-defense system (MANPADs) was used to down the Mig-23. The Soviet-made missile, which is guided by infrared, has a top range of 4,200 meters.
These Soviet-made missiles were likely looted from the former Libyan Army’s depots following the 2011 NATO-led intervention in the country, which led to a state of chaos.
The LNA is yet to commente on the incident. Earlier this year, a spokesman for the LNA claimed that the Libyan Air Force (LAF) has gained full aerial superiority over the western part of the country including Tripoli.
