The strikes ranged all the way from the front lines at Al Uqaylah in the east to Ben Jawad in the west. A source from the Libyan National Army (LNA) the forces of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar claimed the attacks to be the largest number of raids yet mounted by the air force. He did not comment on reports that the airstrikes would be followed by a counter-attack by ground forces. So far this appears not to have happened.
The head of the PFG, Idris Bukhamada charges that the LNA strikes are deliberately targeting oil infrastructure at the terminals. Senior commanders of the LNA have denied this is happening. One would think that the attackers would try to avoid hitting the infrastructure if the plan is to retake the ports. Both sides no doubt want to see Libya’s oil production and exports continue and have an interest in avoiding more damage to the terminals. Islamic State attacks earlier caused considerable damage but that appeared to be the aim of the attacks.
Five days ago the BDB, led by Mustafa Sharksi, gave control of the ports to the PFG in order to continue a push to free Benghazi from Haftar. However, it appears that the BDB is staying put in the ports to defend against a possible counter-attack. Two previous attacks on the ports had easily been driven back. This time, Haftar appears less in control. On social media, the BDB has claimed that the strikes are being made by the Egyptian Air Force. This may or may not be true. Each side appears to be reporting unverified “facts” that support their own agenda. The LNA accuses the BDB of a beheading which the BDB denies.
Prime Minster of the House of Representatives (HoR)) government Abdullah al-Thanni has made an urgent trip to Egypt that is designed to gain support for Haftar’s LNA and for a counter-attack to take back control of the ports. The fact that there has been no ground counter-attack yet and that Al-Thinni is taking this trip may indicate that Egypt and president el-Sisi have eased off on support for Haftar. The Egyptians may be upset that Haftar refused to attend a meeting set up by Egyptian officials in Cairo with PM of the GNA Faiez Serraj.
In another blow to Haftar, his allies in Zintan have met with officials from the Italian city of Verona as reported in a recent tweet: Italian delegation landed today in Zintan, west Libya, to talk about investments – a water system, hospital, airport facilities, hotel 5*. The area is home to the Zintan brigades loyal to Haftar. The Italians has spoken positively on the BDB seizure of the two oil ports and are supportive of the GNA having recently opened an embassy. Each side appears to be trying to bolster its external support. The head of the High State Council of the GNA, Abdulrhman Sewehli is in Qatar meeting with officials. Aref al-Nayad a former UAE ambassador to Libya is in Washington apparently urging the Trump administration that it should switch policy and back efforts to to topple the present internationally and US-supported PC and GNA. In another development 30 HoR members who support the LPA have met in Tripoli. Recently the HoR in a meeting attended by few members rejected participation in the LPA process.
