Several units of the Libyan National Army (LNA) began moving towards the western region where the country’s capital, Tripoli, is located, the LNA’s Media Office announced on April 3.
“Under the direct supervision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan National Army and upon his orders, several military units moved to the western region to neutralize the remaining terrorist groups,” the LNA Media Office’s statement reads.
Tripoli and several cities around it are under the direct control of the Libyan Government of National Accord (LGNA). The government, which is known for its radical views, is sheltering multiple terrorists in its areas, according to the LNA’s claims.
The LNA Media Office released a video showing dozens of military vehicles, some armed with heavy machine guns, moving towards the western region. The video reflects the seriousness of the LNA.
Earlier this year, the LNA, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, secured the southern region of Libya after crushing several radical groups and remnants of African mercenaries. The army also captured key cities and oil fields from pro-LGNA forces in the southwestern part of the country.
Click to see full-size map
A source in the LNA had told the Russian news agency, Sputnik, that the decision to liberate Tripoli from the LGNA and its militias has been made. However, it remains unclear is Hafter is willing to go this far, especially that the LGNA is receiving direct support from the U.S.
Awesome news!
However, it remains unclear is Hafter is willing to go this far, especially that the LGNA is receiving direct support from the U.S.
There is only one way to find out. Go for broke and take Tripoli. But do it in a smart way. Eliminate all the other territory under LGNA control first. Taking Tripoli first would probably be a red line for the US, but if Haftar nibbles away all the other territory first until only Tripoli remains the US would be placed for a fait accomplis. The US might intervene for Tripoli, but probably won’t for Sirte or Misrata. But once all the outlying cities and towns have fallen there is little point remaining in intervening for Tripoli. The LGNA would then be dead anyway.
I think this was also the strategy that was used in Syria. A lot of us probably wondered why it took so long for the SAA to take East Ghouta, even though it was right smack to Damascus itself, a gun aimed at the city. Probably because if the SAA with Russian help had done so in 2015 the US might have intervened on the side of the headchoppers. Because at that time they still represented a viable force in its strategy to remove Assad. But by going for the periphery first, nibbling away at one rebel held territory after the other, slowly the chances of an overall headchopper victory decreased to the point that by the time it was East Ghouta’s turn it no longer mattered. The strategy of regime change was dead already. All that was left was fire off some cruise missiles in a show of face saving impotence.
Libya is probably a case study for the disastrous foreign policies of the Obama/Hillary team. They somehow managed to end up on the wrong side of every conflict around the World. Like Midas King/Queen in reverse, everything they touched turned to excrement. They did so in Egypt, in Libya, in Syria, in Iran, et al. Oh, but they were the “nuanced”, “sophisticated”, “educated” ones. Right…
Video is blocked on copyright claim by 4 Kids network.