By Waleed Abdullah
TRIPOLI, Libya (AA) – Drones from the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) on Tuesday targeted the Libyan coastal city of Sirte, killing one and injuring three members of forces loyal to the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA).
The GNA security forces in Sirte, also known as the Security and Protection Force of Sirte, said in a statement published on their official accounts on social media that the U.A.E. drones, which back Khalifa Haftar forces, targeted a security patrol in the city.
The strike killed a security member and injured another three, the statement read.
On April 4, Haftar — leader of the eastern Libyan forces — launched an offensive to capture the capital Tripoli from GNA forces.
According to UN data, over a thousand people have been killed since the start of the operation and more than 5,000 injured.
Since the ouster and death of ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of power have emerged in Libya: one in eastern Libya supported mainly by Egypt and the U.A.E. and another in Tripoli, which enjoys UN and international recognition.
* Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara
