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Libya’s GNA, LNA to Close Agreement on Sirte Demilitarization

Libyan National Army conduct military drills (Reuters)
Libyan National Army conduct military drills (Reuters)
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Libya’s GNA, LNA to Close Agreement on Sirte Demilitarization

Libyan National Army conduct military drills (Reuters)
Libyan National Army conduct military drills (Reuters)

Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Libyan National Army (LNA) are inching in towards sealing an agreement on demilitarizing the strategic city of Sirte and transforming it into the capital of the new authority in the North African nation, sources with knowledge of the matter reported.

The sources, speaking under the conditions of anonymity, said that the GNA and LNA have reached a preliminary agreement to demilitarize Sirte and to establish armistice in the city which is located between Tripoli and Benghazi.

An undeclared arrangement finalized between Turkey and Russia kickstarted the withdrawal of fighters on both rival sides in Sirte, it also ushered in the formation of a joint force that includes elements from the LNA and GNA, the same sources revealed.

Tribes from Libya’s three main regions will participate in the joint forces.

According to the arrangement, LNA forces, who currently control Sirte, will redeploy forces to the strategic city’s outer skirts in exchange for the GNA also doing the same with regard to repositioning their forces.

A top Libyan official, speaking under the conditions of anonymity, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the demilitarization of Sirte is a prelude for a major deal that will end the crisis and suffering in Libya.

The official pointed out that arrangements being completed in regional and international negotiations will put the military option for ending the conflict in Libya on ice.

Other unofficial sources spoke about intentions to abolish the military and security agreement signed between Turkey and the GNA last year. US and UN officials are discussing with the GNA’s interior ministry the merger of its loyalist militias with state security apparatuses.

In other news, LNA forces announced on Wednesday killing the leader of ISIS in North Africa during a raid in the southern desert city of Sebha earlier this month.

Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari said Abu Moaz al-Iraqi was among nine extremists killed during the raid but was only identified afterward.

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Unidentified Drones Destroy Iraqi Military Radar Systems

Iraq’s Taji military base (File Photo)
Iraq’s Taji military base (File Photo)
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Unidentified Drones Destroy Iraqi Military Radar Systems

Iraq’s Taji military base (File Photo)
Iraq’s Taji military base (File Photo)

Iraq’s Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, has ordered the formation of a committee to investigate a series of drone attacks targeting military radar systems at two separate bases, officials said.

The strikes hit a radar installation at the Taji military camp, north of Baghdad, and another at the Imam Ali airbase in the southern province of Dhi Qar. A third suspected drone attack reportedly struck a base near Baghdad International Airport, also housing radar systems, according to local media reports.

The incidents came shortly after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, though it remained unclear whether the attacks were connected to the development.

Sudani said on Tuesday his government would not tolerate any act – internal or external – that threatens national security, vowing a firm and decisive response.

“We will not show leniency toward any aggression that harms the security of Iraq,” Sudani said during a cabinet meeting, according to state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA).

“Our response will be resolute and strong,” added Sudani.

He confirmed that Iraqi military bases were targeted in what he described as a “cowardly and treacherous” attack using explosive-laden suicide drones.

“Our armed forces and air defenses responded swiftly to other attempted attacks on different bases, successfully intercepting and downing the drones,” Sudani said, without elaborating on the origin of the attacks.

The prime minister also welcomed the recently announced ceasefire between Israel and Iran, calling it a “positive step,” and expressed hope that the truce would be “solid and lasting, not fragile.”

Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, also described the drone strikes as “cowardly and treacherous,” saying the attacks caused significant damage to radar infrastructure.

In a statement, al-Numan said a swarm of small, explosive-laden drones had struck the military installations in Taji and Dhi Qar. He confirmed there were no casualties.

Images circulating on social media showed flames engulfing the radar station at the Taji base.

“Our forces were able to thwart additional drone attacks targeting four other locations,” al-Numan added, noting that air defenses successfully downed the incoming UAVs before they reached their targets.

All of the sites targeted in the recent drone attacks were fully operated by Iraqi security forces, dismissing speculation of foreign involvement.

“All targeted locations are exclusively Iraqi military sites, overseen and operated by officers and personnel from our heroic security forces,” said al-Numan.

Following the coordinated attacks, Sudani ordered the creation of a high-level technical and intelligence committee to investigate the incidents, identify those responsible, and fully track the findings of the probe.

“These cowardly criminal acts will not go unpunished,” al-Numan said. “Our armed forces remain the unshakable shield of Iraq, defending its people, land, and sovereignty.”

Military sources revealed that the first drone strike destroyed a TPS-77 radar system at the Taji military base. A second attack targeted an AN/TPQ-36 counter-battery radar at the Imam Ali base.

Local media also reported, citing unverified sources, that a third drone targeted a US-made radar system at Victoria Base near Baghdad International Airport, which has previously hosted US troops. Authorities have yet to confirm this claim.

The strikes come amid heightened regional tensions following a US-brokered ceasefire announcement between Israel and Iran.

While no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, the nature and precision of the strikes have raised concerns about a potential escalation.