Libya: Government vows response after base attack hit by foreign air force
Libya’s UN-recognised government on Sunday condemned overnight air raids against a recently recaptured airbase in the west of the country saying the attack was carried out by a “foreign air force”.
Fighters loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA) seized back the al-Watiya airbase, 140km (90 miles) southwest of the capital Tripoli, from troops aligned with renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar in May.
Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) alleges Turkey - a key GNA backer - subsequently made use of the base to help GNA soldiers repel an offensive it launched against Tripoli in April last year.
Al-Watiya’s recapture marked the start of the sudden collapse of the LNA’s 14-month assault to seize the capital and led to its hasty retreat along the coast.