Libya’s Hafter Calls for Support Amid Growing Losses

While reports are that the Sudanese government will be sending support to keep him being overrun outright, the leader of the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) Gen. Khalifa Hafter made a series of calls over the weekend for other Libyan militias to join him in fighting on the west coast. So far, there seem to be no takers.

While the GNA was seen in a very advantageous position around Tripoli for months, in recent weeks the Government of National Accord (GNA) has reclaimed parts of as many as eight provinces in the west, and are trying to push Hafter’s forces out of Tripoli.

The LNA’s one advantage is international support, with the UAE calling on Sudan to send many more troops to help Hafter fight. Hafter’s year-long siege of Tripoli was bankrolled in great part by several Gulf nations, who support his vows to take over the country.

The GNA’s only real international ally is Turkey, and that’s been fairly limited so far. Despite that, the LNA seems no longer to be on the verge of a victory, and local groups seem to be waiting it out before seeing if they want to commit more to that side.