Eastern Libyan forces plan to intensify Tripoli offensive

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Eastern Libyan forces said on Monday they would intensify an assault on Tripoli, the capital held by the internationally-recognized government, as the death toll in a battle now in its third week rose to 254.

The Libyan National Army (LNA) force loyal to commander Khalifa Haftar has launched an offensive but has been unable to breach the southern defenses of the city.

Forces loyal to Tripoli drove back the LNA in recent days to the southern suburb of Ain Zara, the main scene of fighting, even though the LNA said it had launched air strikes on military sites in the capital.

LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari denied there had been a retreat but said an advance by LNA forces had slowed because of the dense population in the areas where fighting was taking place.

Libyan National Army head out of Benghazi to reinforce the troops advancing to Tripoli, in Benghazi, April 7, 2019. /Reuters Photo

He said that the LNA was calling in reservists to open new fronts on Tripoli and it would use artillery and infantry in the next days.

It's said that Monday was quieter on the main frontline south of the capital with less shelling than in previous days. Bad weather made air strikes impossible, Mismari said.

Shelling could be still be heard even in central Tripoli 11 km (seven miles) from the frontline and smoke billowed from one spot in southern Tripoli.

The death toll since the start of fighting has reached 254, while 1,228 people have been wounded, the World Health Organization said. More than 32,000 people have been displaced, the UN humanitarian agency added.

The Libyan internationally-recognized government forces take position during the fighting with the Eastern forces in Ain Zara, Tripoli, April 21, 2019. /Reuters Photo

The latest flare-up in Libya threatens to disrupt oil flows, foment migration across the Mediterranean Sea to Europe and allow jihadists to exploit the power vacuum.

If a ceasefire was called as demanded by the UN, the LNA would have gained a considerable amount of territory, as they still control much of the area south of Tripoli including a forward base in Gharyan, a mountainous town about 80 kilometers south of Tripoli.

Western and Arab countries have been divided over how to tackle Libya.

UN Envoy Ghassan Salame left the heavily-fortified compound in Tripoli to travel abroad for a few days to "hold meetings in a number of cities to seek to stop the war in Libya", said a UN spokesman.

Source(s): Reuters