On 19 May, Libyan and international media outlets reported that forces aligned with the GNA captured on 18 May the Libyan National Army (LNA) controlled Watiya airbase, located south of Zuwara in Western Libya. For a few weeks now, GNA forces had concentrated their attacks against this LNA position, with the support of Turkey. The airbase was a key strategic facility upon which the LNA relied for the supply of goods and ammunition to its forces in western Libya and from which it launched aerial capabilities. On 19 May, founder of Libya-Analysis LLC Jason Pack was interviewed by Al Jazeera to comment on the GNA’s territorial gain along with Peter Millet, former British Ambassador to Libya (2015-2018) and Mansour El-Kikhia, professor of Politics at the University of Texas in San Antonio. Pack, Millet and El-Kikkhia assess what the capture of the airbase means for the LNA and the GNA in the fight for the control of Tripoli. For Pack, the capture constitutes a significant shift in the battle for Tripoli. He notes that the future of the battle will also be determined by the responses of the LNA and GNA international backers to this turn of event.Click below to watch the interview (Pack speaks between 7:45-9:55, 14:00-15:47 and 19:04-21):
Africa, Airstrikes, Anti-LNA coalition, GNA, Gulf Countries, Haftar, Libyan Army/Militias, LNA, Media Appearances, National Conference, Security, Tripoli
GNA forces capture LNA-controlled airbase in Western Libya