25/03/2020 – An intense bombardment shook Tripoli through the night and a new battle erupted at an airbase outside the capital, hours after Libya reported its first case of coronavirus and despite U.N. calls for ceasefires around the world during the epidemic.
Residents of the Libyan capital, seat of the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), said the shelling was the worst in weeks, shaking doors and windows in the city center several miles from the front line in the southern suburbs.
The Libyan National Army (LNA) of eastern commander Khalifa Haftar has been trying to capture Tripoli for almost a year, backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Russia. The GNA is supported by Turkey and allied Syrian fighters.
Pro-GNA forces launched an assault against LNA forces at the al-Watiya airbase, 125km (80 miles) west of Tripoli and the site of intense fighting at earlier stages of the conflict, both sides said on Wednesday.
The pro-GNA forces said their operation was in response to the shelling of Tripoli and resulted in the capture of LNA fighters. A military source in the LNA said its air force had targeted pro-GNA forces trying to capture the base.
Reuters (Benghazi-Libya)
Sahel-Elite (Bamako-Mali)
Sahel-Elite (Bamako-Mali) 