Several news reports gave, recently, the impression that the civil war and the conflict between the Dignity Operation Militias and the Presidential Council forces will erupt in the southern region.
The following reports are few examples:
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Defense ministry launches military operation to eliminate Khalifa Haftar forces
By Abdullah BenIbrahim
The Defense Ministry of UN-proposed government announced on Saturday a new military operation to fight Dignity Operation forces in south Libya.
Spokesman Mohammed Al-Ghasri said Al-Amal Al-Mooad (Awaited Hope) Operation aims to eradicate forces of Mohammed Ben Nayel, a staunch follower of Khalifa Haftar, and ISIS fugitives from the south.
The announcement comes just four days after Mohammed Ben Nayel militants attacked the Third Force in Tamnihint airbase in Sabha.
Military sources revealed that preparations to deploy troops in the south are in full gear.
On Thursday, Misrata Political Bloc, a group of the city’s MPs and politicians, requested the Presidency Council to crush Dignity Operation forces in the south and said an immediate action has become imperative.
Dignity Operation threatens to attack Misrata airbase
The Dignity Operation commander of so-called Air Operations of Central Region, Shareef Al-Awami, has threated to attack Misrata airbase if more airstrikes were conducted on Brak Shati airbase.
Reacting to the airstrikes of the Operations Room of the Presidency Council’s Air Force, he said their response to any future airstrikes against their forces would be harsh.
“We have the ability to intercept and down their L-39 jet fighters,” Libya al-Mostakbal news outlet quoted him as saying.
The Air Force of Presidency Council conducted on Wednesday two airstrikes targeting the warplanes of Dignity Operation that are positioned in Brak Al-Sahti airbase, 60 km north of Sabha in southwestern Libya.
Misrata MPs urge PC to eradicate Dignity Operation forces from south
Misrata Political Bloc, a group of the city’s MPs and politicians, has requested the UN-proposed Presidency Council (PC) to crush Dignity Operation forces in the south of Libya after the latter’s Wednesday attack on Taminhint airport.
The bloc said in a statement on Thursday that an immediate action by PC land and air forces to root out Dignity Operation attackers has become imperative.
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HoR members urge for no-fly zone in southern Libya
By AbdulkaderAssad
Several members of the House of Representatives (HoR) in Tobruk have called for an immediate no-fly zone in southern Libya.
“There should be a no-fly zone resolution that can protect the civilians and to ban all parties from using warplanes in the southern region.” The members urged in a statement on Friday.
The statement also called for a swift and quick ceasefire in Timnahent district, adding that all the forces that engaged in recent clashes in there must return to their locations to avoid military escalation.
“An operations room, that would contain military and police personnel from the south to secure the military institutions and the state civil institutions as well, should be formed.” The statement indicates.
The HoR members also shouldered the parties that started off the fight around the Timnahent airbase the legal and moral responsibility of any damaged that had happened.
“We call on the local and international legal organizations to monitor the violations that have been made against civilians and to bring the perpetrators to Libyan and international courts.” The statement adds.
Last Wednesday, Dignity Operation fighter aircraft started bombing locations around Tamnihent airbase in the southern city of Sabha.
Jamal Al-Treki, the Third Force’s commander, who also confirmed that the force’s fighters engaged in heavy clashes with Pro-Haftar armed groups led by Mohammed Ben Nayel – a staunch follower of Khalifa Haftar.
Later, the Operations Room of the Presidential Council’s air force disclosed that their warplanes responded to the air attacks of Dignity Operation on the Third Force locations and the air force personnel in Timnahent air base by two airstrikes targeting the warplanes of the Haftar-led Dignity Operation that are positioned in Barak Al-Sahtea airbase.
Clashes between Haftar’s forces, Third Force erupt nearby Tamnihint airbase, Sabha
Early Wednesday morning, Dignity Operation fighter aircraft started bombing locations around Tamnihint airbase in the southern city of Sabha, according to Jamal Al-Treki, the Third Force’s commander.
Later on, the Third Force, which is appointed to secure the airbase and the entire southern region, engaged in heavy clashes with Pro-Haftar armed groups led by Mohammed Ben Nayel – a staunch follower of Khalifa Haftar.
“We have been clashing with those armed groups led by Ben Nayel since the morning and they are using medium and heavy weapons in the vicinity of Tamnihint airbase.” Sources from Third Force told local media.
“Dignity Operation warplanes are taking off from Barak airbase, some 80 km away from Tamnihint airbase.” Al-Treki told Al-Nabaa TV on Wednesday afternoon.
He also stressed that the Haftar-led air force had conducted at least two airstrikes on Tamnihint airbase, adding that there were no damages reported.
“I believe that the Presidential Council is a body that is in favor of Haftar and is actually trying to cover for his actions.” Al-Treki told the local media outlet.
UN-proposed government’s air force air-attacks Haftar’s warplanes in south Libya
The Operations Room of the Presidential Council’s air force has disclosed that their warplanes responded to the air attacks of Dignity Operation on the Third Force locations and the air force personnel in Timnahent air base.
The operation room said in a televised statement that upon instructions of the UN-proposed government’s defense minister-designate, Mahdi Al-Barghathi, the air force’s fighter aircraft conducted Wednesday two airstrikes targeting the warplanes of the Haftar-led Dignity Operation that are positioned in Barak Al-Sahtea airbase.
Colonel Mohammed Ganono reading the statement
“This is a message for all those who cherish messing with the fortunes of the Libyans or acting away from the legitimate Government of National Accord.” The statement states.
“The die is cast. Our air force will no longer tolerate such actions by Dignity Operation command and our personnel and warplanes will target any illegal movements across the entire country.” The statement adds.
The statement also stressed that the air force personnel are always on alert to defend the security and sovereignty of Libya, and to protect February revolution against any coup attempts.
Early Wednesday morning, Dignity Operation fighter aircraft started bombing locations around Tamnihint airbase in the southern city of Sabha, according to Jamal Al-Treki, the Third Force’s commander, who also confirmed that the force’s fighters engaged in heavy clashes with Pro-Haftar armed groups led by Mohammed Ben Nayel – a staunch follower of Khalifa Haftar.
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