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On January 22nd, Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar declared Libya’s capital of Tripoli and its surrounding areas as a “no-fly zone.”
He threatened to hit “civilian planes,” but in the meaning that planes carrying Turkish-backed militants being transported to Libya to fight on behalf of the UN-assigned Government of National Accord would be targeted.
LNA Spokesperson Brigadier General Ahmed Al-Mesmari, spokesman for Haftar forces, said on social media forces declared the off-limit area from Giryan, 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of the capital city, to Terhune city, 90 kilometers southeast (56 miles) and to the Tripoli beach, including Mitiga Airport in the capital.
المؤتمر الصحفي للناطق بإسم القائد العام
المؤتمر الصحفي للناطق بإسم القائد العام
Posted by الناطق الرسمي باسم القيادة العامة للقوات المسلحة العربية الليبية on Wednesday, January 22, 2020
LNA targeted the Mitiga International Airport with 6 Grad missiles on January 22nd as a warning.
On the same day, Al-Mesmari said that a Turkish warplane was downed by LNA forces. It flew out of Mitiga international airport and reportedly wished to target LNA forces in Tripoli.
As of January 24th, heavy clashes are on-going in Tripoli, with fighting being most active in Abu Salem, in the southern part of the city.
The GNA is shelling LNA positions in Wadi Al Rabie, in Southern Tripoli.
مدفعية الجيش تستهدف بشكل مباشر تجمع لمليشيات متعددة الجنسية التابعة لحفتر ومرتزقته في محور وادي الربيع.
اللهم لك الحمد والشكر#العدوان_على_طرابلس
— عماد فتحي E.Fathi (@emad_badish) January 24, 2020
Libyan oil production and oil exports are still blocked, despite US and other calls for the blockade to be lifted.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed that the LNA targeted Mitiga with 11 missiles.
#عاجل | أردوغان: حفتر استهدف #مطار_معيتيقة بـ11 صاروخا وهذا دليل على أنه لا يريد وقف إطلاق النار
— Libya Alahrar TV – قناة ليبيا الأحرار (@libyaalahrartv) January 24, 2020
He said that both Turkey and Russia supported the ceasefire and urged the parties to respect it.
“We are working to support the forces of the Fayez al-Sarraj government and provide them with material and strategic support, and this is a path approved by the Turkish parliament,” Erdogan said.
Meanwhile, more than likely in an attempt to counter Turkey’s ambitions in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus blocked EU sanctions against Russia.
Cyprus is either hoping to get support from Moscow against Turkish drilling in the region, or concessions from the EU to pressure Ankara.
Cyprus, backed by the EU, accuses Turkey of drilling illegally for oil and gas in its territorial waters. The EU has prepared the ground for travel bans and asset freezes but has postponed saying which Turkish officials they would target in order to give Ankara time to change its approach.
Cyprus’ foreign ministry rejected the claims.
“There is no connection made between the two sanctions regimes. We are in the process of reviewing the information provided with regard to the Ukraine sanctions,” Cypriot foreign ministry spokesman Demetris Samuel said.
Regarding Turkey, Samuel said:
“Our aim is to see the (EU decisions) implemented. We feel that it is important… to expedite and finalise this work with regards to the listings.”
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“Meanwhile, more than likely in an attempt to counter Turkey’s ambitions in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus blocked EU sanctions against Russia.”
Sanctions??? For what? Daring to win against Ukropi nazis in Crimea and Donbass?
Fuck off EU satrapies and cucked beta-nation spineless vassals.
Yes a good day in Libya indeed, a Turkish war plane down, and Cyprus blocking sanctions.
Now if the LNA can shut down the Mitiga airport, all will be well.