Libya: Al-Wefaq forces launch a military operation to control the city of Tarhuna, the last bastion of Haftar, to the west

Libyan National Accord Government forces launched a military operation to control the city of Tarhuna, the main stronghold remaining for the forces of retired Major General Khalifa Haftar, west of Libya.

Al-Jazeera correspondent Ahmed Khalifa said that the operation started this morning, Saturday, and that the forces of the reconciliation government advanced within the administrative borders of Tarhuna (about 80 kilometers southeast of Tripoli), and took control of areas located on the outskirts of the city, including women who were displaced and killed.

He added that Al-Wefaq forces opened heavy artillery fire at the fighting axes south of Tripoli, in preparation for any field progress towards Tarhuna.

He continued that, in conjunction with the launch of the operation, heavy shelling was heard in the southern suburbs of Tripoli, where battles have been taking place for more than a year, between internationally recognized government forces and Haftar militants.

The Al-Jazeera correspondent also reported that the media belonging to the retired Libyan brigade confirmed the reconciliation forces' progress towards Tarhuna, indicating that the city is the starting point for the attacks on southern Tripoli, which includes a human tank supporting Haftar, and it is also a vital supply line for Haftar's forces, where weapons and equipment come from. Al-Jafra base, central Libya.

If the Al-Wefaq forces control the city of Tarhuna - on which the so-called 9th brigade of Haftar’s forces are concerned - this will be a qualitative progress made by the army of the Al-Wefaq government after its recent restoration of the West Coast.

For its part, the military media said that the army of the Al-Wefaq volcano anger that the army is attacking the Haftar militia and is advancing towards the city of Tarhuna from seven axes with the support of the Air Force.

In conjunction with the start of the military operation, other forces of the Al-Wefaq government deployed on the coastal road with the municipality of Al-Qarah Bulli east of Tripoli.

This development comes after a night that witnessed an intense bombardment by Haftar forces on residential areas south of Tripoli, killing five civilians and wounding others.

It also comes after raids carried out by Al-Wefaq forces on the Al-Watiyah base, which is located southwest of the Libyan capital, and gunmen loyal to Haftar escaped after they were defeated in the cities of the West Coast a few days ago.

It is noteworthy that the so-called "Tarhuna Protection Force" loyal to Al-Wefaq forces tried late last year to control the city of Tarhuna, but Haftar's forces managed to block it at the border between Tarhuna and Gharyan.