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A brief overview of the recent developments in Libya:
- The GNA condemned accused the Libyan National Army (LNA) of conducting a strike on the Military College in Hadba, where 30 cadets were killed and over 33 others were injured. The LNA rejected accusations blaiming pro-GNA groups for the attack;
- Ahmad al-Malla, a fighter of the Turkish-backed Sultan Murad Division (Syria), was killed near Tripoli;
- Spokesperson of the Government of National Accord (GNA) claimed that the GNA Airforce conducted an airstrike on the Watiya Airbase killing a group of mercenaries and destroying military vehicles and an ammunition storehouse of the LNA;
- Clashes between the LNA and the GNA continue in southern Tripoli.
GNA green is shrinking pretty steadily. It can’t be long, now…
Unfortunately not so – lines of contact in Tripoli district are little changed from six months ago, Misrata bases, sea and airports fully functional, receiving Turkish weaponery and ex-Syria jihadis daily. But Tripoli is the key and LNA is making little headway – not surprising having stalled for SIX MONTHS thus giving time for Sarraj regime (Wefaq-GNA) to build layered defense lines forward of Second Ring Road and incorporate militia into Ops Room with Turkish “advizers” https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a78e62b7f14f4c0fd39c68cc46b26908cc1c784149a5e357f7779466f57c516a.jpg
I was being facetious, abuqahwa. It’s like looking at maps of Afghanistan and Yemen – people keep dying, but nothing much changes. Thanks for your informative response, though. Turkey’s involvement seems to change nothing for now besides fixing the lines of contact even firmer around Tripoli. Sirte – aside from the symbolic importance – doesn’t seem to be terribly important strategically. Gardabiya wasn’t an operating air base that I recall. Does that sound right?
Yes you are right – Sirt city and small port of little strategic import (symbolic hence not defended unlike when ISIS controlled it ) https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/895d03dd64f7c3c06d75416c7b9086f625192c93db0b5fd0a5653937efc27683.jpg , ditto Airport SRX, except that if re-opened it does give LAF another FOB with 3 600 meter runway. Misrata is very well defended by land, sea, and air now, LNA can at best try to invest/block/interdict enemy movements but not a direct attack. In any case Tripoli is the key, your forces in Martyrs Square is ultimate objective.