In Tripoli, Operations Room in the Libyan National Army revealed that LNA air force carried out on Monday, “precise and direct strikes” targeting the positions of “the Chadian mercenary groups in Abu Muath camp southern Tripoli. Targets and positions for Khalifa Haftar’s forces on different fighting frontlines have been targeted with heavy bombardment by the Libyan Air Force of the Presidential Council’s government over the last few days, according to a source at the Burkan al-Ghadab (Volcano of Rage) Operation.
In Benghazi, 5 bodies were found near a cemetery in Hawari area with visible traces of torture and gunshots. Activists have announced the disappearance of five people from the neighborhood of Leithi.
On the international level, the governments of the United States, Britain, Italy, France, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates have called for a return to the UN-led peace process and an immediate end of hostilities in Tripoli.
BENGHAZI
- identical sources from Benghazi confirmed on July 17 that 5 bodies were found near a cemetery in Hawari area with visible traces of torture and gunshots. Activists have announced the disappearance of five people from the neighborhood of Leithi in Benghazi, two of them were brothers. The victims were likely to be killed by security elements belonging to Haftar’s militias, against the backdrop of their opposition to the war on Tripoli, according to activists. No statement was made by any official body in the eastern region regarding the issue [Libya Observer, 18.07.2019].
TRIPOLI
- targets and positions for Khalifa Haftar’s forces on different fighting frontlines have been targeted with heavy bombardment by the Libyan Air Force of the Presidential Council’s government over the last few days, according to a source at the Burkan al-Ghadab (Volcano of Rage) Operation. Airstrikes’ aims included Haftar’s forces positions in Al-Asaba, Al-Shweirif, Al-Jufra and southern Tripoli frontlines, the source explained. “In total, the air force carried out 20 strikes targeting convoys, supplies, vehicles, fighters, and ammo depots with minute precision.” The source indicated. Saturday and Sunday saw the Libyan Air Force carrying out air raids on Wadi Rabea and Tripoli International Airport, destroying military vehicles and killing at least 13 fighters from Haftar’s forces [Libya Observer, 21.07.2019];
- the Libyan National Army was able to advance and enter Yarmouk camp south of Tripoli, after the withdrawal of Islamist militias allied with the government of Fayez al-Sirraj. Informed sources told The Libyan Address Journal that “large losses have occurred among the Islamist militias while the Libyan air force destroyed a number of their armed vehicles.” [Address Libya, 20.07.2019];
- air space re-opened at Tripoli’s only functioning airport, Mitiga, on July 18 after it was halted following an air strike, according to a post on the Mitiga airport authority’s Facebook page. The airport authority said carrier companies would begin shortly to receive passengers to complete the rest of their re-scheduled flights for the day. On July 18 evening, the Libyan National Army (LNA) Air Force raided the military section of Mitiga airport, destroying a drone, a military source said [Address Libya, 19.07.2019];
- the Libyan National Army troops led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar on July 17 repulsed an attack by islamist groups allied with the government of Fayez al-Sirraj, south of the capital Tripoli, after clashes that lasted since the early morning hours. The Information Center of the 73rd Infantry Brigade said in a press statement: “The Libyan National Army forces of the 73rd Infantry Brigade, commanded by Major General Ali al-Qatani, repelled an attack on July 17 morning on the two frontlines of Kazerma and Airport Bridge during clashes since the early hours of this morning in a new attempt to advance by the armed militias affiliated to the Al-Sirraj government, which has failed miserably.” The statement added: “More than 12 people were killed in the ranks of armed militias and two armed vehicles were destroyed” [Address Libya, 18.07.2019];
- Tripoli Operations Room in the Libyan National Army revealed that LNA air force carried out on Monday, “precise and direct strikes” targeting the positions of “the Chadian mercenary groups in Abu Muath camp southern Tripoli. The Operations Room confirmed that the military operation to liberate Tripoli is on its way to a victory. It pointed out that the Air Force strikes destroyed a moving convey in the Jendouba area and destroyed an arms truck on Abu Ghailan road near Gharyan city. The Room also pointed to the direct strike of the information center in Gharyan, which is based on the elements of the terrorist Benghazi Mujahideen Shura Council, in addition to a strike on the group of extremist Abu Ubaida al-Zawi [Address Libya, 16.07.2019].
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
- the United Nations Security Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said on July 18 that it is gravely concerned by and closely following up on media reports about the disappearance of House of Representatives (HoR) member Ms. Siham Sergewa. They were also concerned about the injury of her husband. Sergewa was reportedly taken by force last night from her residence in Benghazi having returned from the (predominantly pro Khalifa Haftar) HoR meeting in Cairo [Libya Herald, 18.07.2019];
- Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has slammed the overall foreign policy of his rival Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, particularly in Libya. Speaking at the CHP’s parliamentary group meeting in Ankara, Kılıçdaroğlu said the Muslim Brotherhood, Erdoğan’s traditional ally in Libya and other regional countries, should be abandoned [Address Libya, 17.07.2019];
- the governments of the United States, Britain, Italy, France, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates have called for a return to the UN-led peace process and an immediate end of hostilities in Tripoli. In a joint statement, the six countries “expressed concern” about ongoing hostilities in Tripoli, call for an immediate de-escalation and halt to the current fighting, and urge the prompt return to the UN-mediated political process. “There can be no military solution in Libya.” The statement reads. They said the ongoing fighting in Tripoli threatens Libya’s stability and its energy sector and exacerbates the tragedy of human migration in the Mediterranean. They warned of ongoing attempts by terrorist groups to exploit the security vacuum in the country. They called on all UN member states to fully respect their obligations to contribute to Libya’s peace and stability, prevent destabilizing arms shipments, and safeguard Libya’s oil resources in accordance with Security Council resolutions. The statement comes as fighting rages in southern Tripoli between government forces of Presidential Council and Khalifa Haftar’s armed groups backed by France, Egypt and the UAE. France has been accused of playing the two-faced policy in the Libyan conflict [Libya Observer, 16.07.2019].
