In Gharyan, armed groups loyal to Khalifa Haftar’s forces advanced on 25 August on the area between Gharyan and Al-Urban (45 km to southeast Gharyan) and positioned in Ghout Al-Reeh after violent clashes preceded by heavy air attacks by Haftar’s Air Force. Some intermittent clashes between the Libyan Army forces and Khalifa Haftar’s forces, the latter, positioned in Urban town between Gharyan and Tarhouna, have attempted to advance on Gharyan but failed.
In Tripoli, an airstrike by Khalifa Haftar’s Air Force targeted on 24 August a car in Al-Sawani killing three civilians from one family and injuring several people. This comes as Haftar’s airpower has been engaged in the fighting more over the last time with strikes hitting targets in Tripoli, Misrata, Zuwara, Gharyan.
On the international level, the ambassador of the United States Richard Norland said his country is going to engage in UN-led efforts aiming to find a political solution to the crisis via negotiations. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on 19 August expressed American concerns over the prolonged conflict in Libya in a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart, and they agreed on the need for a political solution, the State Department said.
GHARYAN
- armed groups loyal to Khalifa Haftar’s forces advanced on 25 August on the area between Gharyan and Al-Urban (45 km to southeast Gharyan) and positioned in Ghout Al-Reeh after violent clashes preceded by heavy air attacks by Haftar’s Air Force. The commander of Gharyan Protection Force Abdullah Kishlaf said Haftar’s forces had attacked from Ghout Al-Reeh area coming from Al-Urban under an air cover, adding that they foiled their attacks then withdrew from Ghout Al-Reeh as it is an easy target for Haftar’s warplanes, given the nature of the area. He reaffirmed that western military zone had sent backup forces so that Gharyan and its surrounding were secured, saying the city is not in danger and the area they had withdrawn from for tactical purposes was very far from Gharyan [Libya Observer, 25.08.2019];
- as southern Tripoli frontlines have been seeing an uneasy calm with some intermittent clashes between the Libyan Army forces and Khalifa Haftar’s forces, the latter, positioned in Urban town between Gharyan and Tarhouna, have attempted to advance on Gharyan but failed. A source from the operations room of Volcano of Rage Operation of the Libyan Army in Gharyan said they had managed to thwart Haftar’s forces attack and attempted advance on the city via Ghout Al-Reeh in south Gharyan, adding that they are in full control of the area and the whole city of Gharyan. The source indicated that Gharyan Protection Force backed by western military zone forces started combing through all areas around Ghout Al-Reeh toward Urban town [Libya Observer, 20.08.2019].
TRIPOLI
- an airstrike by Khalifa Haftar’s Air Force targeted on 24 August a car in Al-Sawani killing three civilians from one family and injuring several people. This comes as Haftar’s airpower has been engaged in the fighting more over the last time with strikes hitting targets in Tripoli, Misrata, Zuwara, Gharyan and other areas with a relative stalemate on the ground as Haftar’s forces weren’t able to advance amid constant advances for the Libyan Army under the Presidential Council’s command [Libya Observer, 24.08.2019];
- the Volcano of Rage Operation forces under western military zone of the Presidential Council launched an attack on 21 August on Sabea frontline (45 km to southeast Tripoli) and seized “new strategic positions” from Khalifa Haftar’s forces. Heavy artillery shelling was reported coupled with airstrikes from both sides leading to casualties from both warring parties. “Libyan Army forces achieved significant advances in Sabea which would tighten our grip on the remaining Haftar’s forces in Qasir Benghashir since the only supply line left for them in this area is Qasir Benghashir-Sabea.” Spokesman for Volcano of Rage Operation Mustafa Al-Majea said. He said the forces seized control of Sabea hospital, aviation Institute and other vital areas, adding that they were combing through the area toward Souq Al-Khamis then Tarhouna [Libya Observer, 21.08.219].
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
- the ambassador of the United States Richard Norland said his country is going to engage in UN-led efforts aiming to find a political solution to the crisis via negotiations. Norland said on 23 August in a televised statement that the US wants to work with all Libyan parties to form a united government that can achieve peace and stability. “It is the first time an ambassador appointed by President Donald Trump and approved by the Senate arrives to work in Libya, and I will be working from Tripoli soon.” Norland said. Norland presented his credentials on 22 August to the Libyan Foreign Minister Mohammed Sayala at the US Libya embassy in Tunis, stressing that he will be working with all parties to end the conflict in the country [Libya Observer, 24.08.2019];
- the Tunisian Foreign Minister Khamis Jhinaoui renewed on 22 August his country’s support to UN and Libyan efforts to end the conflict in the country, saying there can be no military solution in Libya. Jhinaoui met with Libyan Foreign Minister Mohammed Sayala in Tunis and said his country will continue to convince active stakeholders in Libya to help the country end the military conflict and return to political process. The Libyan Foreign Ministry said the two officials discussed issues of joint interests and cooperation between Libya and Tunisia, operating the maritime transportation line and other issues [Libya Observer, 22.08.2019];
- Maltese Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion said on 21 August that only the political solution can bring Libya out of the crisis, adding that his country is against any form of military solution. In a joint press conference with UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame, Carmelo Abela reiterated Malta’s continuous support to UN-led process to ensure successful political transition for the benefit of Libyan people. “Malta will support Salame and the UN’s work during this difficult situation, in a country which is so close to Malta,” Abela said. “Currently there is no military solution for Libya,” he added.Ghassan Salame praised Malta’s efforts in bringing to light the Libyan crisis in the EU. He said Libyan crisis can only be resolved through a political process, adding that “military solution is an illusion and a costly one.” [Libya Observer, 22.08.2019];
- the United States Embassy in Libya warned on 19 August against the frequent attacks on civil aviation facilities, emphasizing that these attacks represent a major concern. US Ambassador Richard Norland said that his country considers the escalation of attacks on civilian airports in Libya as a grave threat that will bring disastrous consequences, according to the US embassy’s Facebook page. Haftar has continued attacks on Mitiga, Misrata, and Zuwara airports since the beginning of his aggression on Tripoli in early April [Libya Observer, 20.08.2019];
- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on 19 August expressed American concerns over the prolonged conflict in Libya in a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart, and they agreed on the need for a political solution, the State Department said. Pompeo also discussed with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry cooperation to tackle the Islamic State and al-Qaida militant groups, the department said in a statement [Libyan Express, 20.08.2019].
