Walid Abdullah
09 January 2020•Update: 09 January 2020
TRIPOLI, Libya
Two paramedics were killed by Gen. Khalifa Haftar forces Thursday when an ambulance was targeted with artillery in the Al-Washaka area in eastern Sirte.
A statement by UN-recognized Libyan government forces said "in continuation of Haftar crimes against medical teams in Sirte, Haftar's militia targeted an ambulance with artillery and caused the death of two paramedics."
The National Accord government (GNA) forces managed to seize control of Al-Washaka area and are advancing towards Sirte from three different locations in addition to confiscating a number of Haftar's military vehicles, a spokesperson said..
GNA forces in Sirte said they conducted a tactical withdrawal from the city Tuesday to avoid casualties among civilians.
Since the ouster of late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of power have emerged in Libya: one in eastern Libya supported mainly by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates and the other in Tripoli, which enjoys the UN and international recognition.
In April, Haftar's forces launched a military campaign to capture Tripoli from the internationally recognized government.
On Dec. 12, Haftar announced he ordered his militants to launch a "decisive battle" to capture the capital, Tripoli.
*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara
