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Heavy clashes in southern Libya's Gharyan as Haftar's forces advance under air cover
[Libya Observer] Armed groups loyal to Khalifa Haftar...Self-proclaimed Field Marshal, served in the Libyan army under Muammar Qadaffy, and took part in the coup that brought Qadaffy to power in 1969. He became a prisoner of war in Chad in 1987. While held prisoner, he and his fellow officers formed a group hoping to overthrow Qadaffy, so it's kind of hard to describe him as a Qadaffy holdover. He was released around 1990 in a deal with the United States government and spent nearly two decades in the United States, gaining US citizenship. In 1993, while living in the United States, he was convicted in absentia of crimes against the Jamahiriya and sentenced to death. Haftar held a senior position in the anti-Qadaffy forces in the 2011 Libyan Civil War. In 2014 he was commander of the Libyan Army when the General National Congress (GNC) refused to give up power in accordance with its term of office. Haftar launched a campaign against the GNC and its Islamic fundamentalist allies. His campaign allowed elections to take place to replace the GNC, but then developed into a civil war. Guess you can't win them all... 's forces advanced Sunday on the area between Gharyan and al-Urban (45 km to southeast Gharyan) and positioned in Ghout al-Reeh after violent festivities 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backup forces so that Gharyan and its surrounding were secured, saying the city is not in danger and the area they had withdrawn from for tactical purposes was very far from Gharyan. In the meantime, a source from Volcano of Rage Operation said earlier that Haftar's drones carried heavy  ...KABOOM!... s on Ghout al-Reeh starting Saturday night to pave the way for the ground advance for "Haftar's forces backed by mercenaries from Sudanese Janjawid." The source said their forces withdrew from Ghout al-Reeh to save lives as UAE drones were targeting the area for Haftar's forces, confirming that seven fighters from their side had been killed in the airstrikes. Meanwhile, ...back at the chili cook-off, Chuck slipped the habañero into the roasted jalapeño... media sources said the Libyan Army under the command of Presidential Council's government thwarted an attack by Haftar's forces on Wadi Rabea frontline and Zatarna area, causing them massive losses, adding that they are preparing for a large-scale offensive that aims to defeat Haftar's forces once and for all. Related: Gharyan: 2019-08-23 Gaddafi-loyal commander killed by pro-Haftar forces Gharyan: 2019-08-23 Heavy clashes in Sabea as Libyan Army advances in south Tripoli Gharyan: 2019-08-21 Uneasy calm descends on Tripoli frontlines as Haftar's forces advance on Gharyan fails Related: Volcano of Rage: 2019-08-23 Heavy clashes in Sabea as Libyan Army advances in south Tripoli Volcano of Rage: 2019-08-21 Uneasy calm descends on Tripoli frontlines as Haftar's forces advance on Gharyan fails Volcano of Rage: 2019-08-18 Haftar's forces strike Zuwara Airport again Posted by: Fred 2019-08-26 |
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