Libyan gov't attacks neutralize 70 of Haftar's militia

TRIPOLI

Scores of militiamen aligned with warlord Khalifa Haftar were neutralized in attacks targeting Al-Watiya airbase, a Libyan military spokesman said on Saturday.

In a statement, Muhammed Kununu said warplanes of the Libyan government carried out airstrikes Friday on Haftar's forces in the vicinity of the base.

"The attacks resulted in killing and injuring 70 members of Haftar's terrorist militia," the spokesman said.

Libyan government forces launched a military operation early Tuesday to liberate al-Watiya airbase, which is located southwest of the capital Tripoli and controlled by Haftar's militias.

Al-Watiya is regarded as a key airbase in the country and is second only to Mitiga Airport. It was captured in August 2014 by Haftar, the leader of illegal armed forces in eastern Libya, who used it as his headquarters for western operations.

The Libyan government has been under attack by Haftar’s forces since April 2019, with more than 1,000 killed in the violence. It launched Operation Peace Storm on March 26 to counter attacks on the capital.

As part of Operation Peace Storm, air operations are being periodically carried out against the base.

Following the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya's government was founded in 2015 under a UN-led political deal.