Rocket Strike Targeted GNA Forces Near Sirte, LNA Denies Responsibility
Fighters loyal to the internationally recognised Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) gesture as they keep a look out on the roof of a building in an area south of the Libyan capital Tripoli on January 12, 2020.(Photo by Mahmud TURKIA / AFP) (Photo by MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP via Getty Images)
On August 27, a rocket attack targeted forces loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA) west of the town of Sirte in northern Libya.
In an official statement, the GNA’s operations room in Sirte claimed that a salvo of twelve Grad rockets was launched by the Libyan National Army (LNA) and fighters of the Wagner Group at its forces. The operations room said the attack was a violation of the ceasefire recently announced by the GNA.
“We will not back down from responding to such acts as determined by field operations,” the statement reads.
Gen. Ahmed al-Mismari, a spokesman for the LNA, denied the GNA’s claims. The spokesman said the LNA didn’t carry out any attacks on government forces near Sirte.
According to the spokesman, the GNA is fabricating a pretext to attack LNA forces as well as to distract the public from the ongoing protests in the capital, Tripoli.
The protests in Tripoli, which began a few days ago, are heating up. The GNA’s security forces and, allegedly, Turkish-backed Syrian militants are using force against the protestors, who are demanding drastic reforms.
The GNA is yet to provide any evidence to back it claims against the LNA. This suggests that the reports of an attack by the army may have been fabricated for political purposes.
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