GNA forces kill 20 Haftar militia members in Libya

TRIPOLI-Anadolu Agency

In this file photo taken on June 13, 2019, fighters loyal to the U.N.-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) open tank fire from their position in the al-Sawani area south of the Libyan capital Tripoli during clashes with forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar. (AFP File Photo)

Libya’s U.N.-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) said ON March 3 that its forces killed 20 militia members loyal to renegade Gen. Khalifa Haftar in Sirte.

The militia members were killed in an airstrike, Mustafa al-Mujie, the spokesman for the GNA-led Burkan Al-Ghadab (Volcano of Rage) Operation, told Anadolu Agency.

Since the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of power have emerged in Libya: Haftar in eastern Libya, supported by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, and the GNA in Tripoli, which enjoys U.N. and international recognition.

The GNA has been under attack by Haftar’s forces since last April, with more than 1,000 killed in the violence. International efforts to reach a ceasefire have been stymied by Haftar’s side flouting the process.