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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.
Scoop: Trump indicated in phone call with Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar last wk that US supported an assault on Tripoli to depose its UN-backed govt.
In a separate call, Bolton also left Haftar with impression of US green light, sources tell me, @margarettalev, @SameralAtrush
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) April 24, 2019
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.
Russian jet Petroff Air GLF5 P4-PPP heading #Benghazi #Libya pic.twitter.com/jOgTCzGmoq
— Manu Gómez (@GDarkconrad) April 25, 2019
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.”
Update: the Iranian ship Shahr e Kord is currently in the coastline of Misrata arrived from Burgas, Bulgaria. Seems they are waiting something. Recently, Haftar`s forces spox said that LNA "will make sure of the cargo being unloaded". pic.twitter.com/cVvidXP2Om
— Ruslan Trad (@ruslantrad) April 25, 2019
The LNA reportedly put the entire Aziziyah under its control.
القوات المسلحة العربية الليبية
تمت السيطرة علي منطقة العزيزية بكامل— Anis Abdalgawad (@AnisAbdalgawad) April 25, 2019
The LNA Spokesman posted 7 videos on Twitter allegedly showing foreign soldiers fighting alongside the GNA-allied militias in Tripoli.
Video no.1 : Foreign Armed men fighting alongside Terrorist militias in #Tripoli against our forces. pic.twitter.com/DuL0hDNcEm
— LNA Spox. (@LNASpox) April 25, 2019
Video no2: Foreign Armed men fighting alongside Terrorist militias in #Tripoli against our forces. pic.twitter.com/pcEwdd2DMd
— LNA Spox. (@LNASpox) April 25, 2019
Video no.3: Foreign Armed men fighting alongside Terrorist militias in #Tripoli against our forces. pic.twitter.com/gjy3ekna0t
— LNA Spox. (@LNASpox) April 25, 2019
Video : Foreign Armed men fighting alongside Terrorist militias in #Tripoli against our forces. // in this video you can see underaged fighters pic.twitter.com/0a9VgQB0Ra
— LNA Spox. (@LNASpox) April 25, 2019
Video no.5: Foreign Armed men fighting alongside Terrorist militias in #Tripoli against our forces. pic.twitter.com/lgm9mqrFcf
— LNA Spox. (@LNASpox) April 25, 2019
Video no.6 : Foreign Armed men fighting alongside Terrorist militias in #Tripoli against our forces. // you can see that they are in a school class ! pic.twitter.com/un3dNeQ3bK
— LNA Spox. (@LNASpox) April 25, 2019
Video no.7: Foreign Armed men fighting alongside Terrorist militias in #Tripoli against our forces. pic.twitter.com/whjPwjIjrk
— LNA Spox. (@LNASpox) April 26, 2019
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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.
حتى هذه اللحظة :
– قوات بركان الغضب تسيطر على كوبري السبيعة وتأسر 24 عنصر من ميليشيات حفتر بينهم ضابط برتبة عقيد .
– اشتباكات قوية في محيط سوق الأحد وتبسط سيطرتها على تمركزات لميليشيات حفتر فيما تبقى من الخلة ووادي الربيع .
– تدمير شاحنتين محملتين بالذخيرة لميليشيات حفتر . pic.twitter.com/AsPznKxDQj— Ahmed Hadia (@AhmedHadia74) April 25, 2019
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.
عاجل | قنونو: عملية محاصرة قوات حفتر في محور #عين_زارة انتهت بتسليم أنفسهم وإحالتهم إلى جهات الاختصاص.#طرابلس #ليبيا #بركان_الغضب pic.twitter.com/ZGAwovcbAZ
— ليبيا بانوراما (@lpc_ly) April 25, 2019
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.
The Tripoli forces have pushed back the LNA in some areas but I would be cautious to see an end of their campaign – today our team visited an area in the Tripoli Ain Zara district where the frontline had not changed since our last visit a few days ago. #Libya https://t.co/hGH6cRiCAp
— Ulf Laessing (@UlfLaessing) April 25, 2019
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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