Rockets Rain down on Libyan Capital

Smoke rises during a fight between members of the LNA and GNA in southern Tripoli, Libya June 22, 2019. (Reuters)

Dozens of rockets rained down on the Libyan capital, Tripoli, a day after the Government of National Accord (GNA) recaptured the strategic western cities of Surman and Sabratha.

The capture pf the coastal towns and smaller settlements further south has deprived the Libyan National Army (LNA) of a gateway to the western coast. The LNA launched last year an offensive to seize Tripoli.

Surman and Sabratha lie respectively 60 and 70 kilometers west of Tripoli, about half-way to the Tunisian border.

Late Monday, salvo after salvo of rockets began raining down on Tripoli, where the GNA is based, and loud explosions could still be heard Tuesday morning, AFP correspondents said.

Several homes were hit around Mitiga airbase in the eastern suburbs, the capital's sole and only intermittently functioning airport.

One person was wounded, rescuers said late Monday. Since then there have been no casualty updates.

Fighting also raged Tuesday south of the capital, a GNA military source said, according to AFP.

The GNA accused the LNA of attacking Tripoli.