MOSCOW (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 08th April, 2019) The Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Khalifa Haftar, has declared a no-fly zone over the western parts of Libya, which are governed by the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA), and has warned that all aircraft, apart from commercial flights, that breach the restrictions will be targeted by the LNA, the forces' spokesman, Ahmed Al-Mismari, said.
On April 4, Haftar announced an offensive against GNA-controlled Tripoli in a bid to oust "militias" from the city. On Sunday, the GNA said that it was beginning a counteroffensive operation, dubbed Volcano of Rage. That same day, a military source told Sputnik that the Tripoli-based government had carried out airstrikes against an LNA military base not far from the city. A source also told Sputnik that LNA had started an air operation over Tripoli.
"We are implementing a #NoFlyZone over west #Libya , any military jet will be considered a target as well as its takeoff location. This includes Aerial photography and excludes commercial flights," the spokesman tweeted late on Sunday.
Since the beginning of the offensive on Tripoli, the Libyan National Army, which backs the Tobruk-based parliament controlling eastern Libya, has gained control over several towns near the city and over Tripoli International Airport.
The GNA's Health Ministry said on Sunday that at least 21 people had been killed and another 27 were injured as a result of clashes on the outskirts of Tripoli.
