Air strikes and explosions hit Libyan capital

Several residents said they saw an aircraft circling for more than 10 minutes

Libyan fighters loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA) fire their guns during clashes with forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar south of the capital Tripoli's suburb of Ain Zara, on Saturday. AFP 

Several air strikes and explosions shook the Libyan capital Tripoli overnight in an escalation of a two-week offensive on the city currently held by its UN-backed government.

The Libyan National Army (LNA) force, loyal to commander Khalifa Haftar, started the attack earlier this month but has been unable to breach the government's southern defences.

Forces loyal to Libya's unity government began a counter-attack against military strongman Mr Haftar's fighters on Saturday, as clashes south of the capital intensified.

"We have launched a new phase of attack. Orders were given early this morning to advance and gain ground," said Mustafa al-Mejii, a spokesman for the Government of National Accord's (GNA's) forces.

Residents said they saw an aircraft circling for more than 10 minutes late on Saturday and that it made a humming sound before opening fire on several areas.

An aircraft was heard again after midnight, circling for more than ten minutes before a heavy explosion shook the ground.

It was not clear whether an aircraft or unmanned drone was behind the strike, which triggered heavy anti-aircraft fire. Residents had reported drone strikes in recent days, but there has been no confirmation and explosions heard in the city centre this time were louder than in previous days.

Residents counted several missile strikes, one of which apparently hit a military camp of forces loyal to Tripoli in the Sabaa district in the south of the capital, scene of the heaviest fighting between rival forces.

Authorities closed Tripoli's only functioning airport, cutting air links to a city of an estimated 2.5 million residents. The airport in Misrata, a city 200 km to the east, remained open.

If a drone strike was confirmed this would point to more sophisticated warfare. The LNA has so far mainly used ageing Soviet-made jets from the air force of Muammar Gaddafi, toppled in 2011, lacking precision firepower and helicopters.

Mr Haftar began the offensive on April 4 against the GNA, which is based in Tripoli, resulting in repeated fierce clashes on the southern edges of the capital.

Sustained rocket and shellfire could be heard in several districts of Tripoli on Saturday, after several days of less intense fighting and stalemate on the ground.

Mr Haftar backs a rival administration to the GNA based in eastern Libya that refuses to recognise the authority of the Tripoli government.

The GNA counter-attack came a day after the White House said US President Donald Trump spoke on the phone with Mr Haftar, to discuss "a shared vision for Libya's transition to a stable, democratic political system".

The White House statement said Trump recognised Mr Haftar's "significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources", during the conversation on Monday.

Ahmad Al-Mesmari, a spokesman for Mr Haftar's self styled Libyan National Army (LNA), said late on Saturday: "We have won the political battle and we have convinced the world that the armed forces are fighting terrorism."

He also acknowledged that "very violent" fighting had taken place on multiple fronts on Saturday.

The GNA "has received reinforcements from Al-Qaeda terrorists, Islamic State and foreign mercenaries", according to Mr Mesmari.

But he did not acknowledge the LNA's loss of ground – in particular Ain Zara, in the southern suburbs of Tripoli.

An AFP team on the ground confirmed pro-GNA forces had advanced in Ain Zara, where the front line was shifted a few kilometres south.

The Tripoli Protection Force – a coalition of pro-GNA militias, including fighters from the city of Misrata – also advanced to Wadi Rabie, another southern suburb, an officer on the ground told AFP.

The advance followed a "heavy artillery [attack] and medium-calibre fire early in the morning", the officer, who did not want to be named, said.

He said eight of his fighters had been wounded.

Seven air strikes were carried out against military positions held by the LNA, according to the GNA's military spokesman Colonel Mohamad Gnounou.

Mr Gnounou said strikes took place south of Gharian, 100 kilometres southwest of the capital, and against an airbase at Al-Wotya, 50 kilometres further southwest.

Welcoming the gains by his forces on the ground, GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj called in a statement for humanitarian law to be respected.

The LNA said its fighters were "taking control of several new positions on the front lines in Tripoli".

"Our forces are progressing as the GNA militias retreat on all fronts," the LNA said on its Facebook page, with "reinforcements have arrived at the front lines – military brigades, army battalions – to [win] the battle as soon as possible".

Mr Haftar's offensive has sharpened fault lines in policy towards Libya among world powers.

On Thursday, Russia and the United States opposed a British bid backed by France and Germany at the UN Security Council to demand a ceasefire in the North African country.

Observers see Trump's subsequently acknowledged contact with the strongman, at the expense of Sarraj, as evidence of US support that explains Mr Haftar's determination to pursue his offensive against Tripoli.

Hundreds of "yellow vest" protesters demonstrated in Tripoli on Friday against Mr Haftar, and also accused France of backing his forces.

Wearing the trademark yellow vests of French anti-government demonstrators, they were among thousands of Libyans who flooded a central Tripoli square to rally in support of the GNA.

The French embassy in Libya on Friday tweeted – in Arabic – that Paris was "opposed to the attack" on Tripoli and urged all parties to abide by a ceasefire and engage in peace negotiations.

At least 220 people have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded since the violence erupted, according to the World Health Organisation, while the International Organisation for Migration says over 25,000 people have been displaced.

Alongside the rivalry between the GNA and the LNA, myriad militias have vied for control of key cities, while jihadist activity has also periodically flared.