Libyan army liberates towns south of Tripoli from Haftar

ANKARA

Libya’s Army on Thursday liberated two towns south of the capital Tripoli from militias loyal to warlord Khalifa Haftar, says an official statement.

Government forces took complete control of Ain Zara and Wadi Al-Rabi, said Libyan Army spokesman Muhammad Qanunu in a statement.

The success follows Wednesday’s liberation of Tripoli airport from Haftar militias.

Libya’s internationally recognized government has been under attack by Haftar's forces since April 2019.

In March, the Libyan government launched Operation Peace Storm to counter attacks on the capital, and recently retook strategic locations, including the Al-Watiya airbase, in a major blow to Haftar's forces.

Libya has been torn by civil war since the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Libya's government was founded in 2015 under a UN-led agreement, but efforts for a long-term political settlement failed due to the military offensive by Haftar’s forces.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz