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On June 2nd, the Government of National Accord (GNA) and its Turkish support began their counter-offensive against Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s forces.
It began with several airstrikes on LNA vehicles moving north of Bani Walid, reportedly the strike destroyed a vehicle, killing all inside it.
https://twitter.com/EbrahimGasuda/status/1267795343284060162
Then, around the same time, the GNA reportedly took complete control of the area around the Tripoli international airport, and heavy clashes took place around Tuwaishah in southern Tripoli.
محور الرملة يعتبر حاليا بالكامل تحت سيطرة الان مثلث القبه هي تحت النيران قواتنا ، محور الطويشة لازال هناك تاخر ولكن بإذن الله سيكون بركان الغضب بالكامل …،،
— AbdulGhani makki 🇱🇾🇵🇸 (@AbdulGhaniLibya) June 2, 2020
https://twitter.com/EbrahimGasuda/status/1267802270147719169
An LNA armored vehicle was reportedly captured, and another one was destroyed by the GNA in southern Tripoli.
An Emirati armored vehicle was seized and another was burned by 301st pro-#GNA battalion in southern #Tripoli.#Libya #Libia #ليبيا #طرابلس #قصر_بن_غشير pic.twitter.com/YL3SgIjKVH
— Aymen Blhol (@ARB_LY) June 2, 2020
Around the same time, claims from both sides surfaced.
On the side of the LNA, spokesperson Brigadier General Ahmed al-Mesmari said that there would be no negotiations with the Turkish invaders.
#ليبيا — المسماري: لن نفاوض على السلام بوجود الغزاة الأتراك على أراضي ليبيا
— ا لـحـدث (@AlHadath) June 2, 2020
He also said that a major attack by the GNA on positions in Tripoli was foiled.
#ليبيا — المسماري: أحبطنا هجوما كبيرا للميليشيات على مواقعنا في طرابلس
— ا لـحـدث (@AlHadath) June 2, 2020
On the side of Turkey, its security council said that it would continue providing military consultations and support to the GNA.
مجلس الأمن القومي التركي: سنواصل تقديم الاستشارات العسكرية لحكومة الوفاق في ليبيا
— سكاي نيوز عربية-عاجل (@SkyNewsArabia_B) June 2, 2020
Regardless of al-Mesmari’s claims that the GNA weren’t progressing there were photographs with geolocation and other evidence that progress was, in fact, being made.
geolocation of GNA footage next to the NW part of the fence of tripoli international airport
32.677093, 13.133700https://t.co/6c33qcUDym pic.twitter.com/8pivLJdBgi— il kanguru (@il_kanguru) June 2, 2020
Heavy clashes continued all throughout the evening of June 2nd, and into the early hours of June 3rd.
Around noon on June 3rd, GNA spokesman Mohammad Qannouno said that the circled around Tripoli airport had been tightened.
https://twitter.com/libyaalahrartv/status/1268075209988374528
https://twitter.com/libyaalahrartv/status/1268075087695093761
That is when the siege of the airport began, and reportedly airstrikes were carried out on a LNA tank company.
https://twitter.com/libyaalahrartv/status/1268077469011238912
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar would not be allowed to win the battle for Tripoli.
https://twitter.com/libyaalahrartv/status/1268077469011238912
https://twitter.com/ArraedLG/status/1268097076874883072
According to latest claims, the GNA entered Tripoli International Airport, the LNA appears to have withdrawn, but there’s reports that it is filled with mines.
https://twitter.com/ufuk_sy/status/1268095059750199296
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