The Libyan National Army’s media division declared that operations resumed Thursday through airstrikes that targeted sites of “militias and Turkish mercenaries” in As Saddadah, east of Misrata.
Brigadier-General Khalid al-Mahjoub said that more than 80 armed men fighting with the Government of National Accord (GNA) were killed in Sirte.
The fighters include Turkish soldiers, pro-Ankara mercenaries, and terrorist groups.
The Media Center of LNA’s Dignity Operations Room revealed that the strike resulted in casualties among “mercenaries and militants.”
Moreover, the LNA intensified airstrikes to foil the GNA’s efforts to move to the east and take over Sirte.
The Volcano of Rage Operation - launched by the GNA forces – revealed that it seized a major 350-km supply line linking the south to the west of Libya. This supply line was used for a year by the LNA during its attempts to liberate the capital Tripoli.
GNA’s Ministry of Interior accused the LNA of abducting a brigadier general from Sirte.
The ministry warned that it will not turn a blind eye to the kidnapping, calling on international and rights organizations and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to take action.
Despite the ongoing clashes between the GNA forces and the LNA in Misrata and Sirte, UNSMIL revealed that both parties’ delegations have engaged in the 3rd round of the Joint Military Commission (5 + 5) talks.
“While UNSMIL commends the seriousness and the commitment of both parties in the JMC dialogue track, it calls on them to de-escalate to avoid further civilian casualties and new waves of displacement,” it said.
The Mission is particularly concerned by reports of escalation and mobilization in and around Sirte.
Both meetings - which were conducted virtually - were productive and enabled UNSMIL to discuss with the delegations the latest developments on the ground and to receive their comments on the draft ceasefire agreement, as presented by the Mission to the parties on February 23.
