Haftar's Forces Pushed Back As GNA Circles On Al-Wattia

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On April 14^th, the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) released its information bulleting, in which it claims that since January 17^th the country has lost $4 billion from blocked oil exports.

The blockade is attributed to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) which has repeatedly rebuked claims saying that the citizens themselves decided to block it, in order to pressure the Government of National Accord into surrendering Tripoli.

Total oil production inside Libya is down to 80,510 barrels per day, as of April 13^th, 2020. Before the blockade it produced up to 1,2 million barrels per day, so it is a massive reduction.

On the ground, after GNA forces captured the entire coast west of Tripoli, they began carrying out airstrikes on Al-Wattia, which is under LNA control.

سلاح الجو الليبي يستهدف قاعدة #الوطية العسكرية بعدة غارات جوية#التناصح pic.twitter.com/XSzMUiFvuC
— قناة التناصح (@TanasuhTV) April 14, 2020

A deadline was given for the peaceful surrender of Al-Wattia, and after the deadline passed, the GNA’s Turkish-backed forces began its offensive.

A similar deadline was given for Sabratha, Sorman, Al-Ajilat, Al-Jameel, Rikdalin and Zalatan, all of them were captured after the deadline was disregarded by LNA.

#عااااااجل |
مصدر عسكري من قوات تحرير ترهونة:
انتهت المهلة لتسليم قاعدة الوطية سلمياً، وقوات الجيش تستعد للتقدم وفتح النار انطلاقا من بوابة الزرير الرئيسية والطيران يتحرك والخناق محكم من جميع الاتجاهات.
الضربة القاضية لمشروع حفتر
الله اكبر ولله الحمد 🇱🇾#العدوان_على_طرابلس
— عماد فتحي E.Fathi (@emad_badish) April 14, 2020

“Tarhuna Liberation Forces: The deadline for the peaceful handover of al-Watiya base has expired, and the army forces are preparing to advance and open fire from the main gate.”

GNA, but likely Turkish UAV footage, showed shelling of LNA targets by using precision munition south of Tripoli.

#Libya– #GNA UAV footage showing shelling of #LNA targets south of #Tripoli using precision munition pic.twitter.com/pibYsu2gsT
— Oded Berkowitz (@Oded121351) April 14, 2020

The municipal guards in the Zlatan region were detained by the GNA, they were presumably on the side of the LNA.

الميليشيات الإرهابية والإجرامية تأسر عناصر الحرس البلدي في منطقة زلطن ، و كما تعلمون جهاز الحرس البلدي ليس جهاز مسلح ،فقط تنحصر مهامه في الأمن الغذائي والصحي و مراقبة الجودة و الأسعار وليس جيش أو شرطة ، جهاز مدني يا دعاة الدولة المدنية. #ليبيا pic.twitter.com/2FTSJkzYDc
— MOHAMMED MAHJOOB (@M_MAHJOOB32) April 14, 2020

An LNA-affiliated account also shared a video of the situation.

Shocking scene
#GNA Militia attack Municipal Guard Center while performing their daily work in controlling prices and markets .
Note the Municipal Guard Center is a civilian control authority not military.#Terrorism #Libya
pic.twitter.com/UzR8hwHHEM
— M.LNA (@LNA2019M) April 14, 2020

This man is A big #GNA fan btw pic.twitter.com/ejNJZTkbMZ
— M.LNA (@LNA2019M) April 14, 2020

In addition, the same source alleged that the GNA forces were carrying out looting in the “liberate” city of Sabratha.

Looting and burning in Subrata by #GNA militias.
Shops , cars and even the hospital has been looted.#Libya pic.twitter.com/lVgWuG8m1D
— M.LNA (@LNA2019M) April 14, 2020

An LNA airstrike completely destroyed a GNA convoy of 14 cars, according to reports, but there’s no evidence of it, whatsoever.

#GNA convoy of 13 cars completely destroyed by the Libyan Air Force west of AbuGrian.#LNA pic.twitter.com/jF8HPBJTsh
— M.LNA (@LNA2019M) April 14, 2020

Footage was also released of a GNA Mirage F-1, presumably downed by a Russian-made Pantsir S-1, used by the LNA. However, it would appear that the footage is dated. The debris are more than likely old, and were filmed during night time to hide that.