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Uneasy calm descends on Tripoli frontlines after failed attempts by Haftar's forces to retake lost positions
[Libya Observer] An uneasy calm has descended on southern Tripoli...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn... frontlines after a day of heavy fighting. Saturday saw heavy festivities between the Libyan Army forces under the command of Presidential Council's government and 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 on different frontlines, with the former advancing and seizing new positions. A source from Burkan al-Ghadab Operation (Volcano of Rage Operation) said Haftar's forces tried Sunday morning to retake the positions they lost Saturday at Cement Factory in Souq al-Khamis Emsehel, but their attack was foiled as two of their armored vehicles were destroyed and then they returned to Tarhouna city. The source added that Haftar's forces advanced on Tripoli International Airport frontline from al-Ramla axis but it was soon thwarted by Volcano of Rage forces, whose heavy fire forced Haftar's forces back to their previous positions. "Wadi Rabea and Khalit al-Furjan frontlines saw some skirmishes without any change of positions for either side." The source added, denying that the Libyan Air Force has targeted any aims Sunday due to rainfall. The front man for the Libyan Army Mohammed Gununu said Saturday that they had advanced on different frontlines in southern Tripoli and in the vicinity of Tarhouna city, adding that the Libyan Air Force had carried out  ...KABOOM!... s hitting Haftar's forces launchers used to shell civilians in Tripoli and its suburbs. Gununu added that their forces have advanced after receiving military reinforcement and under a precise and active air cover, hence boosting its grip on different frontlines in Wadi Rabea and Souq al-Khamis Emsehel as well as Ain Zara and Khalit al-Furjan. "Our forces have also captured several fighters from Sahban Brigade of Haftar's forces." Gununu indicated. Related: Volcano of Rage: 2019-08-26 Tarhouna Protection Force says Haftar is fighting a losing battle in Tripoli Volcano of Rage: 2019-08-26 Libya's Interior Minister denies possibility of Misrata-Haftar agreement Volcano of Rage: 2019-08-26 Heavy clashes in southern Libya's Gharyan as Haftar's forces advance under air cover Related: Haftar: 2019-09-07 Libya Air Force strikes #Haftar's forces in Tarhouna Haftar: 2019-09-04 Haftar's forces prepare for a new offensive on Libya's Gharyan Haftar: 2019-09-03 Tripoli-based HoR denounces Haftar's forces attack on Mitiga Airport Related: Mohammed Gununu: 2019-07-23 Haftar's "Zero Hour" to enter Libya's capital foiled by Libyan Army Mohammed Gununu: 2019-06-22 Libyan army forces enter Tripoli Airport, seize major positions from Haftar's forces Posted by: Fred 2019-09-09 |
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