Libya: One killed in Haftar airstrike on Mitiga airport

TRIPOLI

One person was killed in an airstrike by eastern Libyan forces on Tripoli's Mitiga airport on Sunday, according to a government spokesman.

The attack targeted the main gate of the airport, Mustafa al-Majai, spokesman for the Burkan Al-Ghadab (Volcano of Rage) operation, told Anadolu Agency.

"An airport employee was killed in the attack," he said.

Sunday's attack came shortly after 30 students were killed and dozens injured in an airstrike by forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar, who is based in eastern Libya, on a military school in southern Tripoli.

In April, Haftar's forces launched a military campaign to capture Tripoli from the internationally recognized government.

And on Dec. 12, Haftar announced that he has ordered his militants to launch a "decisive battle" to capture the city.

According to the UN, more than 1,000 people have been killed and at least 5,000 injured since the start of the operation.

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 another in Tripoli, which enjoys the UN and international recognition.

The executive and advisory body was formed as part of the Libyan Political Agreement signed Dec. 17, 2015, in Skhirat, Morocco to end the civil war under the guidance of the United Nations.