The Government of National Accord (GNA) operations room, “Anger Volcano,” announced on June 3 that its forces had captured the Tripoli Intentional Airport from the Libyan National Army (LNA).
“Our heroic forces have liberated the entire Tripoli International Airport, and our heroic forces are chasing the remnants of Haftar militias, which are fleeing towards Qasr bin Ghashir,” Col. Mohamad Qununu, a spokesman for the operations room, said in a short statement, without providing further details.
Pro-GNA sources shared several videos of Turkish-backed forces inside the Tripoli International Aiprot, which is located 20 km to the south of the capital.
A few hours earlier, the LNA claimed that its troops had repelled a series of attacks on the airport and other positions south of Tripoli. According to the army’s claims, seven military vehicles were destroyed around the airport, while eight others were captured. Eleven Turkish-backed Syrian militants were also killed.
The battle of the Tripoli International Airport has been ongoing for more than a week. GNA forces, reinforced by Syrian militants, managed to reach the vicinity of the airport a few days ago only.
The capture of the Tripoli International Airport is without a doubt another blow to the LNA. Turkey’s support to the GNA is starting to make a real difference in the battlefield. Yet, this could change if the LNA’s backers step in.
