The Libyan National Army (LNA) has said that artillery shelling hit Mitiga military base as casualties were reported in the capital, Tripoli, after several residential neighborhoods were targeted.
The LNA, led by Marshal Khalifa Haftar, has denied responsibility, accusing the forces loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA) of carrying them out.
Fighting between forces loyal to the GNA and the LNA intensified on Saturday, with residents saying the clashes were the most violent since the LNA launched an offensive to “liberate” Tripoli on April 4, 2019.
About 70 rocket and shells were fired at Tripoli, said sources and locals.
GNA’s Volcano of Rage Operation, in turn, accused the LNA of shelling residential areas on the outskirts of the closed Mitiga International Airport and Bab Bin Ghashir area with 80 rockets, “killing citizens and injuring others.”
Pro-GNA local media reported that the attack hit passenger planes at the airport.
Flames and thick columns of dark smoke also rose from the airport’s military area, which is used as an operation room for Turkish soldiers cooperating with Sarraj’s government.
In a statement on Saturday, the Volcano of Rage Operation announced that the shelling of Mitiga airport resulted in the destruction of Airbus (320) and (330) planes.
A military official told Asharq Al-Awsat that the LNA has recently completed preparations for its air defense system.
“This means that the armed militias loyal to the GNA have lost air privilege.”
The official, who preferred to remain anonymous, stressed that the enemy “is a group of militias fighting together” noting that it depends more on Turkish drones.
On the other hand, forces loyal to the GNA that is led by Fayez al-Sarraj have escalated their attacks on major LNA bases in western Libya.
The GNA forces continued attacking Uqba Bin Nafeh Airbase in al-Watiya and Tarhouna city, the LNA’s most important stronghold in the region.
According to GNA military spokesman Mohammed Qanunu, forces participating in the Volcano of Rage Operation launched on Saturday six airstrikes on the base and its outskirts, targeting military vehicles.
He pointed out that the GNA "neutralized" 70 LNA members.
