In Tripoli, Media Center of the LNA’s Dignity Operations Room said it defenses shot down a reconnaissance plane in Al-Aziziya, stressing that the air force launched strikes to target militias in the vicinity of Gharyan and Al-Aziziya front.
Clashes erupted on October 9 between the Libyan National Army (LNA) forces and the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) militants in the areas between Al-Aziziya and Al-Sawani south of the capital Tripoli.
In Sabratha, the Libyan Army’s Volcano of Rage Operation under the command of the Presidential Council’s government has shut down a warplane for Khalifa Haftar’s forces in western Sabratha. The media office of Volcano of Rage Operation said on 9 October that the warplane tried to land in Al-Watiya airbase but fell down before that.
On the international level, the U.N. envoy for Libya said he hopes an international conference next month will produce a Security Council resolution committing foreign powers to stop an escalating proxy war and an accelerated mechanism to enforce an arms embargo.
The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, stated that ministerial meeting on Libya in New York last month was an important step, noting that, despite their various interests, the EU member states are becoming aware of the need to help unify Libyans.
MISRATA – SIRTE – TRIPOLI
- the Libyan National Army (LNA) fighter jets launched raids on October 7 at a number of positions belonging to militants of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA). The raids targeted both Al-Qardabiya military base and sites for GNA militants in Sirte, LNA Military Information Division announced on October 7. The raids targeted a Turkish operations room and a weapons and ammunition depot at Misrata Air College. LNA air force targeted depots of weapons and ammunition in the military section at Mitiga airbase and a number of positions and concentrations on the frontiers of the capital, specifically Al-Aziziya area, it added. The Division reported that LNA Air Force targeted locations in Gharyan city and Al-Khala area in Tripoli, noting that the sorties were still continuing [Address Libya, 07.10.2019].
SABRATHA
- the Libyan Army’s Volcano of Rage Operation under the command of the Presidential Council’s government has shut down a warplane for Khalifa Haftar’s forces in western Sabratha. The media office of Volcano of Rage Operation said on 9 October that the warplane tried to land in Al-Watiya airbase but fell down before that. According to sources, the warplane downed by Libyan Army was a Russian Sukhoi that was targeting the Libyan Army forces in Al-Aziziya but got shot down by antiaircraft missiles and fell between Sabratha and Al-Ajilat. The commander of Volcano of Rage operations room Ahmed Abu Shahma told reporters that their forces had repelled attacks by Russian mercenaries from Wagner Group on Al-Aziziya frontline, targeting one of their snipers, without confirming any deaths or injuries among them. Abu Shahma added that they targeted Haftar’s forces on Al-Tawaisha and Qasir Benghashir frontlines, destroying two armored vehicles for Haftar’s forces on Al-Aziziya frontline [Libya Observer, 09.10.2019].
TRIPOLI
- Media Center of the LNA’s Dignity Operations Room said it defenses shot down a reconnaissance plane in Al-Aziziya, stressing that the air force launched strikes to target militias in the vicinity of Gharyan and Al-Aziziya front. The Center described statements of GNA forces about its victory in Tripoli as “mere fabrications,” asserting that their defeat is evident. The statement noted that Dignity Operations’ forces are stationed on several axes and continue to advance [Address Libya, 10.10.2019];
- clashes erupted on October 9 between the Libyan National Army (LNA) forces and the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) militants in the areas between Al-Aziziya and Al-Sawani south of the capital Tripoli, identical sources said. The clashes are still going on with intensive flight of LNA warplanes, the sources confirmed. LNA forces began a major attack on several axes in Tripoli, according to the sources. LNA forces continue to advance in the area of Al-Heera and Al-Saediya, they noted out [Address Libya, 09.10.2019];
- the Libyan Army’s operation “Volcano of Rage” has announced repelling heavy attacks coupled with airstrikes by Khalifa Haftar’s forces on Al-Tawaisha, Al-Saediya and Al-Aziziya frontlines in southern Tripoli. The media office of the operation, under the command of the Government of National Accord, said after heavy clashes with Haftar’s forces, backed up by Russian mercenaries and equipped with UAE armored vehicles as well as helped with UAE drones, the Libyan Army forces managed to force Haftar’s forces to retreat back to the Qasir Benghashir area after they failed to advance on Al-Saediya, Al-Tawaisha and Al-Aziziya frontlines [Libyan Express, 08.10.2019];
- the Field Medicine and Support Centre has announced the death of a doctor and the injury of two paramedics in pro-Haftar foreign airstrikes south of Tripoli on Monday 8 October. The centre confirmed on its Facebook page that Dr Samer Al-Sibai was killed and a paramedic wounded in Al-Tawaisha town. It added that another paramedic was wounded in Zahra town [Libya Observer, 08.10.2019];
- the Libyan National Army (LNA) Forces are advancing in the battle axis of Al-Aziziya south of Tripoli and are controlling new positions, announced The Military Information Division of LNA. LNA forces took control of the positions following violent clashes on October 7 morning, the Division said. The area is witnessing sweeping campaigns after the retreat and decline of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord forces, it added [Address Libya, 07.10.2019];
- the Libyan Army forces under the command of the Presidential Council’s government said they are still in control of Al-Aziziya district in southern Tripoli and the area from the district to Al-Sabea after heavy clashes with Khalifa Haftar’s forces that attacked from two different frontlines. The Libyan Army added in a statement that Volcano of Rage Operation forces had full control over the area from Al-Aziziya to Al-Sabea after Haftar’s forces had retreated, adding that they had seized four armored vehicles, including one form the UAE, and captured nine fighters. A military source said Libyan Air Force drones targeted Haftar’s forces positions on Al-Tawaisha and Al-Saediya frontlines in southern Tripoli. This is the first time Libyan Air Force under the command of the Presidential Council takes part in the fighting after days of Haftar’s warplanes attacks backed up by foreign drones, which made a difference in the clashes [Libya Observer, 07.10.2019].
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
- the U.N. envoy for Libya said he hopes an international conference next month will produce a Security Council resolution committing foreign powers to stop an escalating proxy war and an accelerated mechanism to enforce an arms embargo. The conference being organized by Germany is set to be the first major diplomatic push to end fighting that began in Tripoli six months ago [Address Libya, 12.10.2019];
- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the United Nations is working with its international partners to help stop the escalation of violence in Libya and encourage a return to the political process. In his speech to the Security Council on peace and security in Africa, on October 7, Guterres welcomed the enhanced cooperation with the African Union to establish peace in Libya. “The repercussions of the Libyan crisis will cast a shadow on the entire region with the continued transit of arms and the influx of fighters to the country,” Guterres said [Libya Observer, 09.10.2019];
- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that large terrorist networks are spreading in Libya, pointing out that terrorism is not just a regional issue but a clear and immediate threat to world peace and security. Speaking at the meeting on peace and security in Africa, held under the South African presidency, Guterres said the repercussions of the crisis in Libya were spreading throughout the region, with weapons and fighters constantly crossing the border [Address Libya, 08.10.2019];
- the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, stated that ministerial meeting on Libya in New York last month was an important step, noting that, despite their various interests, the EU member states are becoming aware of the need to help unify Libyans. Speaking during a press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Mogherini there is a general interest in the security and stability of Libya, stressing that the Libyans can reach a compromise among themselves [Address Libya, 07.10.2019].
