Libya : Tripoli Under Heavy Fire

Reports from Libya say heavy fighting is going on in the capital Tripoli. The fighting began on Saturday, May 9, 2020 after troops loyal to the Libyan Arab National Army (LNA) of Khalifa Haftar launched several airstrikes with the aim of paralyzing the city. From the top of their balconies, many Tripolitans could see a plume of smoke rising all over the Libyan capital. Al Jazeera reports that Khalifa Haftar's forces launched a hundred missiles in the highly residential neighborhoods of Abu Salim and Ben Gachir South of Tripoli, while the interior ministry said in a statement that six people were killed and dozens others wounded in the attacks.
Mitiga Airport in the North West was also hit hard on Saturday and Sunday. Two planes were destroyed, the passenger lounge and the runway were damaged. Of the ten fuel tanks, four have been destroyed and the other six are badly damaged, according to the national oil company. The airport has been closed for months due to frequent air strikes, but this is the first time the damage has been so severe. An exceptional flight was planned this weekend to bring Libyans stranded abroad due to the coronavirus. 
The attack on Saturday was the latest to target Mitiga International Airport in Libya's capital, the seat of the country's internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA). Haftar's Eastern-based forces have been trying to seize Tripoli since April last year. Damage ...