On June 5, 2020, the Libyan army entered Tarhuna, the last major stronghold of eastern commander Khalifa HAFTAR, capping the sudden collapse of his 14-month offensive.
“Our forces are combing the city as no resistance is seen from HAFTAR’s militias after their withdrawal from there” Mustafa al-MAJEI, a spokesman for the Burkan Al-Ghadab Operation, Anadolu Agency told.
There was no immediate comment from HAFTAR’s Libyan National Army (LNA) on whether its forces remained in the town.
“After coming to Tarhuna, we will activate the national security directorate in the city along with the other security services there”. “This will take place in coordination with the Interior Ministry” al-MAJEI added.
Tarhuna was a major point for supply lines for HAFTAR’s militias from Al-Jufra Airbase.
On June 04, 2020, the Libyan Army announced the liberation of Tripoli and that its forces were moving to liberate Tarhuna that was the last stronghold for HAFTAR in western Libya.
In March, the Libyan government launched the Operation Peace Storm to counter attacks on the capital and recently regained strategic locations, including Al-Watiya airbase.
Mohammed GNOUNOU, a GNA military spokesman, in a statement said “Our heroic forces entered the city of Tarhuna from four axes and reached the city center… and they gave the HAFTAR terrorist militia a lesson they will not forget”.
A resident of Tarhuna, said GNA forces had entered the town.
LNA still controlling the country’s east, where there is a parallel administration, and large parts of the south, where the country’s main oilfields are located.
The LNA is backed by the Russian Federation, the UAE, and Egypt. The UN has warned a recent flood of weapons and fighters to both sides in Libya risks a major new escalation.
This article was edited using the data from the Aljazeera.com, Aa.com.tr, and Dailysabah.com.
Source of the photo: www.dailysabah.com
