Illustrative image, source: LNA media office
The Libyan National Army (LNA) is massing its forces and preparing to storm the strategic city of Sirte, located east of the country’s capital, Tripoli, the al-Arabiya TV reported on May 11, citing Libyan sources.
“Several [LNA] units are in the city’s outskirt,” the UAE-based TV quoted one of the sources as saying.
According to the sources, the LNA wants to use the coastal city as a base to launch a new attack on the city of Misrata and then Tripoli. Misrata is a stronghold for several radical militias backing the Government of National Accord (GNA).
Last week, the LNA advanced and captured the air-defense camp east of Sirte. This will give the army an advantage in its upcoming attack on the city.
Al-Arabiya said that the attack on Sirte will likely begin in the upcoming few hours. It remains unclear if the Libyan Air Force (LAF) and the UAE Air Force (UAEAF) will support the attack the on the city.
