FILE IMAGE: LNA members
The Libyan National Army (LNA) has imposed control of the area of al-Sbeaa south of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, the army’s media office confirmed on May 2.
“Your valiant armed forces are engaged in a fierce war against the terrorist militias in Tripoli … It has drained their strength, expelled them from the area of al-Sbeaa … And [now] it is moving towards the heart of the capital after luring the enemy and attacking it,” an official statement released by the LNA’s media office reads.
Al-Sbeaa is located on a highway heading to the southern part of Tripoli. The area links the Libyan capital, which is controlled by forces loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA), with the towns recently captured by the LNA in the southern part of the country.
Over the last few days, pro-GNA forces launched several counter-attacks and even attempted to flank LNA forces south of Tripoli. However, these attempts failed and the LNA is apparently still advancing towards the capital.
The upcoming few days will likely witness more advances by the LNA, whose leadership is still determined to capture Tripoli as soon as possible. The GNA’s failed counter-attacks may have weakened their defense around the capital.
More on this topic:
Ok, what happened to the GNA advance threatening to cut off the LNA forces advancing south of Tripoli as reported by South Front April 30: “Military Situation In Area Of Tripoli On April 30, 2019 (Libya Map Update)”. https://southfront.org/military-situation-in-area-of-tripoli-on-april-30-2019-libya-map-update/
Below is my reply to the April 30 update:
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The article provides a map showing developments and also states: “The Libyan National Army (LNA) continued its advance on the Libyan capital of Tripoli, which is controlled by forces of the Government of National Accord (GNA)” The article also gives the following 5 points – I assigned numbers 1 to 5:
[1] GNA forces captured the area of Sabiya;
[2] GNA forces kept control of the al-Yarmouk camp area;
[3] LNA warplanes carried out strikes on the al-Yarmouk camp;
[4] GNA forces captured the areas of Sabi’ah and Soq al Sabt;
[5] Heavy clashes continue in Killat al Furjan. The LNA made several gains.
Note that point 1 is redundant with point 4 – Sabiya is a variant name for the Sabi’ah area
Assuming the article claims are true, it seems the GNA is the one that is advancing successfully, not the LNA. The map shows the GNA advancing in a manner that if there is further advances by the GNA, the main LNA force could be cut-off. This danger to the LNA is paramount yet no mention in the article, not to mention the article title which is not supported.
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This current article provides no map update and it is as if the GNA advance never happened. But the April 30 update states it did happen with a map to show the significant advance threatening to cut off the LNA. Why is this omission a problem?
Well, if the GNA succeed in cutting off the main LNA force advancing on Tripoli, the LNA capturing an area south of Tripoli will matter little as demonstrated by Ansar Allah in Yemen – In June 2018 they cut off and then destroyed the 21,000 strong main Coalition force advancing on Hudaydah.
You are conspicuously mis-informed. !. Suq as-Sabt area is east of Tripoli Airport and nowhere near line of contact with enemy. 2. LNA have defeated and pushed back Sweli gangs from as-Sabi’ ah junction and are now engaging GNA militia at al-Aziziyah and Sadiyah -see map, it is in fact the enemy who are retreating to avoid being isolated and cut off as the Gharian route is threatened. Meantime main LNA forces are progressing north from Khallet Furjan and Ayn Zara sectors north and from Zatarna sector eastwards to coastal road.
Please read comments more carefully before responding. I am contrasting 2 SF articles published two days apart in regard to what the articles state. I am not the author of either article so why are you attributing as my own opinion what is obviously (as I quote directly from the articles) my referencing statements in the articles?
I also made it a question mark if the April 30 claims were true or not – “Assuming the article claims are true” – if not true, SF should publish a correction. If true, then this May 2 article makes no sense. This is what I took issue with and you should direct your reply not to me, but to SF since it is what they published.
Lastly, what map are you referring to? This article has no map. The April 30 map I provide the link below. My comment refers to what the map shows and it is not a map of my opinion, it is provided by the author – which I questioned.
https://southfront.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/30april_Tripoli-map.jpg?x61513
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9c6928246a3410fcbe849c9f4f290290640bfdd919aa563fdb615b6e77bea533.jpg Sorry – I did post a map with my comments but it disappeared ! Trying again : a more detailed map will appear on my twitter – but I can confirm that LNA have regained control of as-Sabi ‘ah junction and hospital and clashes are ongoing at al-Aziziyah and Sadiyah. It is in fact the enemy militia gangs who will be cut off in a kill sack unless they retreat.
Thank you for this. There is a lot of disinformation out there on what is happening. I am not a fan of either side but if Haftar can at least bring some stability then he has my support. My prayers go out to the people of Libya.
Thank you – exactly my sentiments – many partisan comments are wishful thinking favoring whichever group they support – while I personally decry the anarchic state of Tripoli since 2014 I try to post accurate SITMAPS
There is obviously a misconception of the military situation and what is going on. The GNA forces managed to take at least parts of the international airport yesterday. If this true they are able to cut off the supply lines to the city completely The move westward to the Azyziah road yesterday of Hafter forces seems more an act of desparation. It seems that this effort failed and that GNA is still controlling the city of Azyziah and by this is able to block supply lines. Reinforcements of Hafter miilitia are attacked by air raids in the Nasmah region. The rising frustration of Hafter militia is shown by the fact that they arrested two journalists of the Libya al Ahrar channel yesterday and by this blocking the reporting. My conclusion is that Hafter militia in the Ein Zara area will be cut off completely and collapse in a couple of days. The upcoming days will show who is right with this analysis.
Exactly. The situation is unclear and contradictory. SF published two articles, this one and one April 30, on the situation. The April 30 article title implies the LNA are advancing successfully on Tripoli but the narrative in the article leads the reader to the opposite conclusion. Then we have this article that seems a total disconnect from the April 30 article – hence my comment above,
Whatever the truth is we should soon find out.
The main forces in Misrata are not partcipating yet. They have sent some support to GNA. They know that in the case of surrender of GNA they will also fall. LNA has the difffculty of overstretching the supply lines. According to recent messages, GNA has managed to conquer Quaser bin Gashir partly today. This would mean that they control supply line to the inner city.
The LNA is not a militia but an army with a proper chain of command and structure. The so-called GNA has NO army and is nothing more than a glorified mafia fiefdom of some 14 gangs propping up Sarraj in return for protection money – any of these gangs can switch allegiences or run for cover to the enclave at Misrata.
Maps attached https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4930b7536503295180612db898bd383b86cb4d1aee8384f3750211fd868c7bb5.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/81e10dd842c251833ca8038142dd2734de404fb0b4dc2ceaf824c5dba58b6bf2.jpg
My research supports your assessment that the GNA are a bunch of loosely affiliated gangs run by local thugs. However, the LNA advance on Tripoli is no cakewalk as the GNA have managed to coordinate actions that have caused some setbacks for the LNA. The GNA have shown capabilities that I would not expect of such a loose affiliation – the level of coordination is not great but better then expected as is also the staying power and maintaining cohesion.
Your thoughts?
Agreed – no cakewalk, defense stronger than I also expected – certainly Turkey ( munitions+jihadi militants from Syria)and Qatar (money and intel)plus Italy (600+ troops in Misrata/Zawia-Mellita/Tripoli city) and UK (unknown SF contingents) plus god knows how mant freelance Western mercs and unaffilated jihadis, situation is fluid-LNA cannot take Misrata if Italy and GB stay there.