Libyan Forces Push Hafter’s Troops Out of Tripoli

LNA forces now over 60 km outside of the capital

Forces supporting the Libyan unity government have successfully pushed the Libyan National Army (LNA) forces loyal to Khalifa Hafter out of the capital city of Tripoli. Locals report the NA is now over 60 km southwest of the capital.

Hafter’s forces attacked Tripoli earlier this month, and managed to get into the city’s south. Even when the offensive stalled, the LNA did not retreat, which has been their strategy in previous coup attempts.

Reports are that Hafter’s offensive was funded to the tune of tens of millions of dollars by Saudi Arabia. Egypt and the UAE are also openly backing them, while the Trump Administration has expressed support in recent days.

Fighting is ongoing in the villages in the area the LNA force was expelled to, with LNA firing rockets at the unity government’s limited forces. There is no sign the fighting is close to ending, though it is clear that Tripoli is no longer at risk of falling in the near-term.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.