Libyan Minister of the Interior of the Government of Al-Wefaq, Fathi Pashaga, said that the forces of retired Major General Khalifa Haftar have received 8 Russian war fighters to take part in any air campaign against Tripoli, while Al-Wefaq forces continue their advance in the west of the country after declaring control of the city of Al-Asaba.
He added that six MiG-29 fighters and two "Sukhoi 24" fighters flew towards the Libyan east from the Hmeimim base in Syria, accompanied by "Sukhoi 35" fighters.
And Pashaga considered that Haftar forces invoke a humanitarian truce to hide its defeats and its continuous retreat under various names.
This came after calls by Haftar forces for a cease-fire in Libya, allegedly to allow an opportunity to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, despite its previous refusal of several international calls to agree to a humanitarian truce.
Threat and warning
Pashaga’s comments regarding Russian fighters come a day after the threats of Saqr al-Jarushi, commander of the Air Force in Haftar’s forces, that all Turkish sites and interests in his country are a legitimate target of the Air Force.
Al-Jaroushi considered that all Turkish sites and interests in all Libyan cities are a legitimate target for their weapon fighters, and he called on civilians to stay away from them, according to several news sites, including the most important site of the American Bloomberg Agency.
In response, Turkey warned that Haftar forces would launch any attacks on its interests in Libya.
"If Turkey's interests in Libya are targeted, this will have very serious consequences," said Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hamid Aksavi.
The threat indicates an increased risk of a wider escalation in Libya, as Turkey supports the internationally recognized government of national reconciliation in the struggle against forces of the Libyan National Army backed by Russia, the UAE, and Egypt.
Turkish support this week helped the National Accord government to wrest an important air base near Tripoli, control towns in the west, and destroy several air defense systems provided by Russia.
Field progress
On the ground, the forces of the National Accord Government in Libya continue to advance against the forces of retired Major General Khalifa Hifter in the west of the country, after declaring control of the city of Al-Asaba, south of Gharyan.
A source from Al-Wefaq forces confirmed to Al-Jazeera correspondent that the forces launched an attack from several axes towards the city, without significant resistance from Haftar's forces.
Since April 4, 2019, Haftar's forces have launched a failed attack to take control of Tripoli, the government headquarters, in which it targeted residential neighborhoods and civilian sites, killing and injuring civilians, as well as extensive material damage.
Years of conflict have wreaked havoc in most parts of Libya, and Haftar al-Rami's attack to control Tripoli has seen an often intense bombardment of residential areas in the capital for months.