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278 Libyans Killed, 1332 Injured in Attacks on Tripoli, Protesters Wear Yellow Vests in Protest Against French Support for Hafter

April 27, 2019

 

Protesters march in Martyrs' Square on in Tripoli, Libya on Friday, April 26, 2019, while chanting slogans against military operations by Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter's forces.	Thousands of Libyans wearing yellow vests demonstrate in Tripoli against Hafter and his attack on Tripoli, as well as his perceived ally France, April 19, 2019 PC,GNA

Fluid fighting continues on multiple fronts – Sarraj refuses dialogue as humanitarian situation worsens

By Sami Zaptia.

Libya Herald, (OCHA).

London, 25 April 2019:

Fluid fighting has continued on multiple fronts in and around the south west and southern boundaries of Tripoli as the two adversaries fail to impose their will on the battlefield. The humanitarian situation continues to worsen as the World Health Organization has reported that the latest death toll stands at 278 with 1,332 wounded.

Independent sources have confirmed that on Monday and Tuesday, the GNA-aligned forces gained ground beyond Aziziya and the Hira region, pushing towards the road up the mountains to Gharian. However, today there are some reports that Khalifa Hafter-led Libyan National Army (LNA) and aligned forces may have pushed back.

Despite all the fog of war and the war propaganda by both sides, it is clear that the GNA-aligned forces have failed to push up the mountain road to Gharian, as they had threatened and promised to do over the last few days. But equally, the LNA-aligned forces have failed to penetrate central Tripoli. The frontlines have remained fluid and changing from morning to evening and from day to day, concentrated at Ain Zara, Wadi Rabea and around Tripoli International Airport.

The official Spokesperson for the internationally-recognized Government of National Accord, Muhanad Younis said yesterday that the Faiez Serraj ‘‘oversees the management of the battle against the Haftar militias, and (there will be) no negotiations or dialogue until after defeating the aggressors.’’

He also added that Serraj affirmed that ‘‘his request to send a fact-finding committee from the Security Council is to document the crimes and violations committed by the aggressor forces against civilians and to target the institutions, and that he did not request international observers for a ceasefire’’.

The GNA-aligned Volcano of Anger Operations Room press briefing yesterday said that its forces had advanced in the Sbea and Sug Al-Sibit areas and that they had ‘‘taken control of large parts of these areas, strengthening their position and threatening the supply routes of the militias of the war criminal (Hafter) between Gharian and Sbea from one side, and Tarhuna and Gaser Ben Gashir from another’’.

They also claimed that their forces had ‘‘strengthened their presence in the vicinity of the Boughilan and Al-Asabaa bridge areas, which threatens the supply routes of the war criminal’s militias and restricts their movements’’.

The news brief also confirmed that as part of the policy of the good treatment of all war criminals, according to the local and international laws and conditions, a number of mothers were given permission to visit their imprisoned sons who had been captured fighting for the LNA-aligned forces and who are now being held in the city of Zawia.

The brief concluded by reiterating that while they did not start this war, they will determine the time and place of its end.

The LNA has, meanwhile, claimed to have shot down another GNA jet fighter. This is disputed and even the LNA-aligned photographs of the purported downed fighter jet are disputed. They claimed to have conducted air strikes on GNA-aligned forces near the Hira region.

On the political front, UNSMIL head Ghassan Salame continued his international push for a political solution by visiting Tunis on Monday. UNSMIL reported that he was ‘‘In a tour to several capitals to advocate de-escalation in Libya’’, meeting Tunisian Foreign Minister Khamis Jhinaoui in Tunis where they discussed developments related to clashes in southern Tripoli. UNSMIL said both sides asserted the UN-facilitated political process is ‘‘the ideal and only way to end the Libyan crisis.’’

Yesterday, Salame was in Rome where he had ‘‘explored ways to encourage all stakeholders to convince the parties to the conflict to stop fighting and resume the political process’’, UNSMIL reported.

Salameh told the press in Rome “The UN continues its role in Libya. We have been providing assistance to thousands of families affected by the fighting to be relocated to safer areas. Thanks to the UN team for providing lifesaving humanitarian assistance on daily basis.” He added that, “The mission continues efforts to bring together the various parties in hope that they can recognize, before (the holy and fasting month of) Ramadan, that it is better to stick to the political process than further fighting where there is no winner while the country is losing.’’

On the humanitarian front, and in response to the ongoing intense clashes in Tripoli, four United Nations agencies launched the Rapid Response Mechanism for the first time in Libya to provide assistance to vulnerable displaced families.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) launched the Mechanism, which brings together local partners and agencies’ expertise and enables access to intuitively and rapidly provide the required assistance.

Through this, key packages including food parcels, hygiene kits, dignity kits, baby kits and non-food items are delivered to families in collective shelters or urban settings. All items are necessities that ensure the basic and immediate needs of recently displaced people are met, the UN reported.

As of 24 April, the UN reported that the Rapid Response Mechanism has reached almost 9,500 newly displaced people including 3,802 children and 2,470 women and girls and will continue to assist populations affected by the ongoing conflict.

It said that the clashes in Tripoli continue to force displacement as they intensify, with the latest displacement figures showing that almost 35,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes since the onset of the fighting on 5 April 2019.

Meanwhile, in its latest report, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that after 7 years of instability and insecurity in Libya, civilians are now devastated by violence and water, electricity, food and healthcare shortages. It added that living conditions of civilians trapped in conflict zones in are shocking. It called for ‘‘unconditional humanitarian access immediately’’.

On the effects of the fighting on the boundaries of Tripoli over the last few days, the report said that the UN and humanitarian partners are closely following up on corroborated reports received of 30 people being injured and hospitalised following violence in the Gaser Ben Ghashir refugee Detention Center, where some 890 refugees and migrants are located. Efforts are underway for the urgent relocation of all individuals to safer areas, the report said. OCHA also reported that 1,400 children were receiving psychosocial support.

Reporting on Monday and Tuesday, the report said that for the second night in a row, relative calm had prevailed, with the exception of airstrikes against military positions in Wadi Al Rabea and artillery/shelling reported overnight on 22-23 April in the vicinity of Tripoli International Airport and Ain Zara. It attributed this ‘‘relative calm’’ to prevailing sandstorm and bad weather conditions.

It reports that at least 90 civilian casualties, including 21 fatalities, have been verified since the beginning of the conflict. These casualties include medical personnel, women and children, and at least one foreign national.  It confirmed that approximately 35,000 displaced individuals have been identified since the onset of the crisis. On the displaced, the report said that the majority of IDPs are staying with family or in private accommodations, while over 2,200 IDPs are currently sheltered in 16 collective centres set up by local authorities

The OCHA report says that an unconfirmed number of families remain stranded in conflict-affected areas, since neither side has responded to calls for humanitarian pauses to enable their departure. This includes nearly 3,600 refugees and migrants trapped in detention centres (DCs) located in conflict affected areas or in areas at risk of armed conflict.

It added that the humanitarian community continues to call on all parties to the conflict to negotiate humanitarian pauses to allow for civilians to move freely to safer areas and for assistance to reach those in need, and to nominate humanitarian focal points to facilitate these ends.

https://www.libyaherald.com/2019/04/25/fluid-fighting-continues-on-multiple-fronts-serraj-refuses-dialogue-as-humanitarian-situation-worsens/

Thousands demonstrate against Hafter Tripoli attack amidst international split on Libya

Libya Herald, By Sami Zaptia.

London, 20 April 2019:

For the second Friday running, thousands took part in demonstrations in Tripoli and Misrata against Khalifa Hafter and his Libyan National Army (LNA) for their attack on Tripoli.

Besides Hafter and his LNA, France was singled out for criticism as many demonstrators wore yellow vests to mimic the anti Emmanuel Macron Paris demonstrators.

The war losses continued, meanwhile, as the World Health Organization reported 227 deaths and 1,128 wounded.

While Britain and Italy continued to seek an end to the fighting and a return to dialogue, LNA Spokesperson, Ahmed Mesmari “welcomed the international political support for the LNA”.

The welcome comes after the revelation by the Whitehouse on Friday that Donald Trump had spoken by phone to Khalifa Hafter earlier in the week. They had discussed “ongoing counterterrorism efforts”.

A White House statement said that in the phone call on Monday, Trump “recognized Field Marshal Haftar’s significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya’s oil resources, and the two discussed a shared vision for Libya’s transition to a stable, democratic political system”.

Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan also said that Trump supported Haftar’s “role in counterterroism” and that Washington needed Haftar’s “support in building democratic stability there in the region.”

The U.S. stance on Libya widens and brings into the open the international split on Libya policy and puts Ghassan Salame and UNSMIL in even more difficult position.

It also questions the international paradox of how on the one hand, the U.S and France maintain they fully support Salame, UNSMIL and the exclusive recognition of the Faiez Serraj-led Presidency Council and Government of National Accord, while, on the other hand, and in practice, they support Hafter militarily.

On the battlefield, the LNA claimed that they had gone on the offensive on a number of fronts in the Tripoli fighting. They admitted that fierce fighting has been ongoing for a number of days near Kasarat, Swani and Aziziya and claim that they have now recovered the city of Aziziya that they were reported to have lost yesterday to the pro Faiez Serraj forces.

https://www.libyaherald.com/2019/04/21/thousands-demonstrate-against-hafter-tripoli-attack-amidst-international-split-on-libya/

UN: Rockets hit civilian areas in Libya's capital Tripoli

Stripes, By Edith M. Lederer, AP

Published: April 26, 2019

UNITED NATIONS —

 Rockets and mortar shells were reportedly fired on residential neighborhoods in Libya's capital Tripoli, where heavy fighting has led to a deteriorating humanitarian situation, the United Nations said Friday.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the U.N. is "gravely concerned" at continued reports of indiscriminate shelling of populated areas, including Thursday night.

Forces loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter launched an offensive to take Tripoli earlier this month and are battling militias loosely allied with the U.N.-supported government based there.

Dujarric said nearly 39,000 people have been displaced by the fighting, according to the International Organization for Migration.

"Civilians in conflict-affected areas are experiencing electricity cuts and water shortages as a result of damaged infrastructure, while access to essential items such as food, medicine and fuel is severely disrupted," he said.

Hifter's offensive on Tripoli could plunge the oil-rich country into another spasm of violence, possibly the worst since the 2011 civil war that toppled and later killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

The country is governed by rival authorities: The weak U.N.-supported government in Tripoli and the government in the east, which Hifter is aligned with. Each is backed by an array of militias and armed groups fighting over resources and territory.

Hifter has vowed to unify the country after years of chaos and has led previous campaigns against Islamic militants and other rivals in eastern Libya. He has received support from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Russia and France.

Hifter launched his offensive 10 days before a national conference that was to bring all Libyan factions together.

U.N. envoy Ghassan Salame, who had been trying to organize the meeting, has been traveling in Europe this week — including in Paris on Friday — to urge international support for a cease-fire.

Dujarric, the U.N. spokesman, told reporters Friday that Salame is "working towards a cessation of hostilities" before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which starts May 6.  

Libya govt military advancing south, says spokesman

37,600 IDPs, 3,300 refugees trapped in centers

Ansamed, 26 April, 16:40

TUNIS -

The military forces of the government recognized by the international community under Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj have advanced south and made gains in the direction of the Qasr Ben Ghashir area. The announcement was made by the military spokesman of the Libyan Government of National Accord, Mohammed Gnounou. He added that the government forces had attacked the Ain Zara area, 15 kilometers southeast of the center of the capital, and surrounded the rival militias that surrendered and handed over their weapons.

The number of IDPs resulting from the most recent armed clashes has risen to 37,600 in Tripoli and the surrounding area, according to the UN humanitarian agency OCHA in an update on the situation. It added that UNHCR and IOM had evacuated 328 refugees and migrants on April 24 from the Qasr Bin Ghashir detention center after 12 people were injured by an armed group inside the center on the previous day. The operation was carried out thanks to support from Libyan authorities, UNSMIL and OCHA, which made it possible to create a humanitarian corridor to enable the transfer. OCHA noted that over 3,300 refugees and migrants were still trapped inside detention centers located in areas hit by fighting or in areas at risk of armed conflict, including about 1,000 children.

http://www.ansamed.info/ansamed/en/news/sections/generalnews/2019/04/26/libya-govt-military-advancing-south-says-spokesman_a6efa8c2-03ed-4f8c-a06b-44757740797a.html

Assault on Tripoli 'Flagging,' Say Government Supporters   

April 26, 2019 8:08 PM

VOA, Jamie Dettmer

The assault on Tripoli launched April 4 by Libya's would-be strongman Khalifa Haftar, a Gadhafi-era general, and his self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) appeared Friday to be flagging, with his forces withdrawing from some of the capital's southern suburbs amid heavy clashes.

Leaders of the country's beleaguered, internationally recognized government are dismissing a behind-the-scenes effort by the U.N. special envoy, Ghassan Salame, for a cease-fire, suggesting they are more confident now of retaining their hold on the Libyan capital.

Ghassan Salame, U.N. special envoy for Libya and head of the U.N. Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), delivers a speech at the mission headquarters in the capital Tripoli, March 20, 2019.

​"It felt like thunder was going to split my house," Libyan-American Holima El Haj, a mother of two, told VOA by phone. "I was crying, and I don't normally do that."

Muhanad Younis, the spokesman for the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), told reporters there's no question of a cease-fire. He said Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj was determined to thwart the assault on the capital led by Haftar, who's allied with a rival government in the east of the North African country.

There will be "no negotiations or dialogue until after defeating the aggressors," al-Serraj said.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, told reporters in New York that there's "grave concern" about "the indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas in Tripoli" and urged all parties to protect civilians. According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 39,000 people have been displaced by the clashes.

Fighters loyal to the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) run for cover during clashes with forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar south of the capital Tripoli's suburb of Ain Zara, on April 25, 2019.

Much of the fighting now, according to government military officials who discussed the flow and ebb of the battles, has been focusing on the suburb of Ain Zara in southern Tripoli. There have also been reports of fierce fighting around Wadi Rabea and Tripoli International Airport.

GNA officials say Tripoli forces have been gaining ground and threaten to cut off LNA supply lines running from Gharian, a town 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Tripoli, which is serving as the LNA's forward headquarters for the assault on Tripoli.

"We won't agree to a cease-fire," Abdulraham El Mansouri, an adviser to the GNA, told VOA. "If we agree to one, Haftar will only use the time to regroup his forces, and we won't allow that."

He said the forces loyal to the GNA, which are made up mainly of an assortment of fighters drawn from the powerful and battle-hardened militias of Tripoli and Misrata, won't stop fighting during the holy month of Ramadan, due to start on the evening May 5. "We won't stop until we have driven Haftar all the way back to Benghazi and Tobruk, and we'll finish him there."

Some independent analysts agree that Tripoli now may be beyond Haftar. His forces are "dangerously stretched," said Federica Saini Fasanotti, an analyst with the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank. She said LNA soldiers captured by forces loyal to the Tripoli government "are very young and clearly not up to the task."

Many of the fighters the LNA is battling are veterans of the 2011 uprising against Col. Moammar Gadhafi. Haftar's forces are also drawn from less cohesive groups, including mercenaries from Chad and Sudan. The edge Haftar does have, say analysts, is in the backing he's receiving from Egypt and the United Arab Emirates in terms of supplies, which appear to include armed drones.

"Haftar definitely overestimated his strength and underestimated his adversary," said Karim Mezran, an analyst with the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East. His offensive prompted the country's most powerful western militias from Tripoli, Misrata and Zintan — frequently at odds with each other in the past — to join forces in support of al-Serraj, he said.

But Mezran and other analysts say the GNA forces are probably incapable of capturing the LNA loyalist cities of Benghazi and Tobruk if Haftar is forced to withdraw from around Tripoli.

"The United States, so far, along with Italy and Britain, has had a very straightforward position: There is no military solution possible in Libya, only a U.N.-backed negotiations process," said Mezran.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One for travel to Indianapolis, Indiana, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, outside Washington, D.C, April 26, 2019.

Last week, it emerged that U.S. President Donald Trump might be considering reversing Washington's position. In a phone call with Haftar, the U.S. leader praised the general for his fight against the Islamic State and other jihadists. Bloomberg News reported Trump told Haftar he supported an attack on Tripoli.

But State Department officials told VOA that U.S. policy remains the same: Only a negotiated settlement can end conflict in Libya.

The U.N.'s special envoy to Libya, Salame, told reporters in Rome on Friday that he was exploring ways "to convince the parties to the conflict to stop fighting and resume the political process."

He added: "The U.N. continues its role in Libya. We have been providing assistance to thousands of families affected by the fighting to be relocated to safer areas. … The mission continues efforts to bring together the various parties in hope that they can recognize, before Ramadan, that it is better to stick to the political process than further fighting where there is no winner while the country is losing."

https://www.voanews.com/a/assault-on-tripoli-flagging-say-government-supporters-/4893494.html

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