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On April 25th, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army’s (LNA) Air Force Operations Room announced that it had achieved sovereignty over the entire western aerial region. These claims followed the recent reveleation that the LNA downed own Mirage F1-ED warplane over the Jufra airbase a few days ago, which placed in question the LNA ability to control airspace even over the LNA-controlled territory.
Regarding the LNA, it appeared that US National Security John Bolton also expressed US support of Haftar’s offensive on Tripoli in a call. This came after it became known US President Donald Trump had spoke to Haftar and expressed support.
https://twitter.com/JenniferJJacobs/status/1121127800751235073
A Russian Petroff Air GLF5 P4-PPP appeared to be heading to Benghazi, Libya, it is unclear what it carries, but it is to the LNA’s benefit.
https://twitter.com/GDarkconrad/status/1121329073156915200
The Iranian ship Shahr e Kord is in the coastline of Misrata, which is GNA controlled. The LNA Spokesperson was cited as saying that Haftar’s forces “will make sure it is unloaded.”
https://twitter.com/ruslantrad/status/1121387387064549377
The LNA reportedly put the entire Aziziyah under its control.
https://twitter.com/AnisAbdalgawad/status/1121435851441856512
The LNA Spokesman posted 7 videos on Twitter allegedly showing foreign soldiers fighting alongside the GNA-allied militias in Tripoli.
https://twitter.com/LNASpox/status/1121559395916308480
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Despite the claims of complete air superiority, GNA warplanes struck LNA forces in Abu Ghaylan, north of Gharyan and south of Tripoli.
GNA forces further took control of the Sawani bridge and captured 24 LNA fighters, including a colonel. There were heavy clashes around the Suq al Khamis.
https://twitter.com/AhmedHadia74/status/1121479133073170433
In a press conference, GNA military spokesman Mohammad Qannouno said that Haftar’s forces in the Ain Zara axis surrendered and were transferred to the authorities.
https://twitter.com/lpc_ly/status/1121508434178977793
GNA forces destroyed 4 military vehicles of Haftar forces and two armored vehicles carrying AA-guns at the Yarmouk axis and Qasr Ben Ghashir. Thus, GNA forces gained new positions in the Yarmouk axis towards the Qasr Ben Ghashir area south of Tripoli.
Around the same time, however, Reuters reported that the frontline in Ain Zara hadn’t changed over the last few days.
https://twitter.com/UlfLaessing/status/1121500042681102336
The GNA Facebook page published another briefing, claiming significant gains.
According to it, new frontlines were opened at Al-Sibia and Sook Alsebet. That was done in order o control other wide areas and threatening the supply routes for the LNA between Gharyan and Al-Sibia, also Tarhouna and Qasr Ben Ghashir.
The statement said that the GNA Air Force carried out 5 airstrikes, in spite of the LNA’s announcement of aerial supremacy.
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