On June 3, the Turkish-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) announced a military offensive to capture Tripoli Airport from the Libyan National Army (LNA) and push the LNA back from the southern suburbs of the city of Tripoli itself.
GNA fighters and members of pro-Turkish Syrian militant groups supported by the Turkish military attacked the airport from the southern and western directions and in the evening of the same day took control of it. LNA forces showed very little resistance to the advancing Turkish-backed forces and even left behind several pieces of military equipment in the airport area.
“Our heroic forces have liberated the entire Tripoli International Airport, and our heroic forces are chasing the remnants of Haftar militias, which are fleeing towards Qasr bin Ghashir,” Col. Mohamad Qununu, a spokesman for the “Anger Volcano” operations room declared.
A day earlier, GNA troops ambushed a convoy of LNA forces behind the frontline in southern Tripoli destroying at least 3 vehicles. This became the first indication that the LNA defense was crumbling. The coordination between various LNA units was interrupted.
On June 4, the GNA and its allies launched an attack on positions of the LNA in Qasr bin Ghashir reaching the western vicinity of the town. More than a dozen drone strikes targeted the town over the past 24 hours. Pro-LNA sources claim that these strikes killed a number of civilians.
According to pro-GNA sources, 15 LNA members were killed in the recent clashes. Pro-LNA sources say that 7 GNA fighters were eliminated.
If Turkish-led forces are able to capture Qasr bin Ghashir, LNA southern positions in Tripoli will collapse fully and only Sidi Salih Airport and Tarhuna will remain as the main strongholds of troops loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
On June 4, Haftar arrived in Cairo to meet with representatives of the Egyptian government, one of the two key backers of the LNA, the other one being the UAE. Nonetheless, unlike Turkey, Egypt and the UAE do not openly employ their militaries to support their allies in the Libyan conflict. The further expansion of Turkey and the advances of Turkish-led forces deeper into central Libya could force them to change their current approach. In such a case, the Libyan conflict would flare up even further.
Haftar wiped out all his gains for a one year in less than six months. And he lost tons of equipment.
He refused to listen to Putin.
Got his ass kicked. Field Marshall Haftar is done. Whether LNA survives is problematic.
He is now in strategic retreat. Sort of like Strelkov losing big pieces of Donbass. Another dope who didn’t listen to Putin. Egomaniacs, not military leaders.
What did Putin tell him?
Guess GNA is getting intel and support from eyes in the sky, from their european friends and whoever is holding to Libyan gold and cash.
Turkey brought their Naval assets for Intel, their best Drones for targeting and destruction of LNA’s assets.
Erdogan went all in and won.
GNA has no European friends. The GNA of Libya signed a maritime deal with Turkey which basically cuts off gas supplies from the E. Mediterranean to E. Europe.
Here is a link which shows a map of this maritime zone
https://www.trtworld.com/turkey/turkey-libya-maritime-agreement-designs-eastern-mediterranean-31910/amp
(Trt world = Turkish news agency)
The Turks keeping provoking both Europeans & Arabs with their neo-ottomanism
“It should not be forgotten that the Ottoman Empire’s collapse started with losing its impact in the East Mediterranean. In this context, this agreement is crucial and it should be appreciated as a huge victory,” Devecioglu said
(From the same link above)
What I am trying to say is that too many countries are negatively affected by the GNA – Erdogan maritime deal and will probably not allow Turkey a permanent victory in Libya: Egypt, Israel, Syria, Russia, Cyprus and Greece and most of Eastern Europe. Maybe even China as they own Piraeus…
“The Turks keeping provoking both Europeans & Arabs with their neo-ottomanism”
In my reading of history, the reverse seems just as valid. It was Europe who planted the seeds of division by backing the Arabs to revolt and break away from ottoman rule.
Attaturk with instigation and support from Europe decimated Ottoman identity in Turkey by imposing an extreme form of secularism.
Beginning with Adnan Menderes, any leader who even tried to reverse some of Attaturk’s changes would be removed by Western back Turkish military (Turkish generals were known as Pashas).
Turkish heads of the armed forces were above the political leaders in pecking order…!
Turkish women who opted to wear a head scarfe became second class citizens denied access to university education, employment, etc. The list goes on…..
Erdogan is the only leader since Attaturk who has managed to survive with the skin of his teeth! I suppose it’s destiny.
MB,
You are referring to the break up of the Ottoman empire (not without some nostalgia, I see).
I am referring to the sentiment of the people who were colonised by the Ottomans.
Just to put things in context, the Ottoman lasted longer than the British empire:
Ottoman Empire from 14th – 20th century
British empire from 16th – 18th century.
Nobody likes their former coloniser.
Ottoman Empire from 14th – 20th century
British empire from 16th – 20th century
Sorry typo in the British date
Is there any map of the current frontlines?
Wonder whether Libyans are regretting their “revolution” of 2011 and the murder of Gaddafi yet.
Colonel Cassad has many articles and maps of the Libya conflict.
Here’s a link to several maps and articles: https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/tag/война%20в%20Ливии
See https://www.redressonline.com/2020/06/libya-at-the-precipice-of-division-between-turkey-and-russia-as-the-endgame-approaches/
If it is true that the US is supporting Turkey and the Muslim Brotherhood then the Libyan situation is getting out of hands and Egypt is losing its leverage there which could lead to dividing Libya soon and eventually taking it over in the future.
Egypt just got all sides to agree to ceasefire.
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202006061079538349-egyptian-president-announces-cairos-new-peace-initiative-for-libya-including-ceasefire/
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/06/egyptian-president-announces-plan-for-ceasefire-in-libya
Egypt sending heavy forces to border now. I guess there will only stay at the border guns pointing as a deterrent for Turkey and GNA not to venture too far eastward. There is no confirmation they have entered Libya in an overt operation as yet
Yes, I saw it on Twitter from several sources. (Both about the ceasefire and the amateur videos of military convoys at border)
GNA suffered defeat at Sirte, so maybe that’s why they decided to agree to a ceasefire…
It’s a tricky situation for Egypt they have strong Muslim Brotherhood presence in their country Haftar is probably getting help from various countries.
Apparently, a little success went to their head, and the GNA refuse the ceasefire. They have crossed Moscow and Egypt’s red line. I think “bad things” will happen to them shortly.
Russia will clear the air and the LNA air force will pound them to submission if they persist in this fight for Sirte.
https://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/5929681.html
Though the war is for oil, it is for geopolitical goals and regional hegemony by Turkey, also.
Moscow will not allow the outcome to fall in behalf of Erdogan. Egypt will probably add a bit of kinetic encouragement shortly, either transferring some planes or artillery to LNA or actually delivering a few blows themselves.
Moscow has waited six months for diplomatic approach to roll out. I doubt they will not act harshly soon. They have been busy knocking Turk UAVs out of the air in the meanwhile.