UPDATES WITH LIBERATION OF AL-URBAN DISTRICT
By Walid Abdullah and Ali Semerci
TRIPOLI / ISTANBUL (AA) – The Libyan Army on Friday liberated the strategic Tarhuna city, the last stronghold of warlord Khalifa Haftar in western Libya.
"Our forces are combing the city as no resistance is seen from Haftar's militias after their withdrawal from there," Mustafa al-Majei, a spokesman for the Burkan Al-Ghadab (Volcano of Rage) Operation, told Anadolu Agency.
Al-Majei added that "after combing Tarhuna, we will activate the national security directorate in the city along with the other security services there."
"This will take place in coordination with the Interior Ministry," he added.
Tarhuna was a major focal point for supply lines of Haftar’s militias from Al-Jufra airbase.
The Libyan Army on Thursday announced the complete liberation of the capital Tripoli and that its forces were moving to liberate Tarhuna, the last stronghold of Haftar in western Libya.
Later in the day, the government forces took control of Al-Urban district south of Gharyan city, Youssef Ibderi, the district mayor, told Anadolu Agency.
Al-Urban is known as one of the most important centers of Haftar’s militias in southern Tripoli.
In March, the Libyan government launched Operation Peace Storm to counter attacks on the capital, and recently regained strategic locations, including Al-Watiya airbase, in a major blow to Haftar's forces.
Libya's government was founded in 2015 under a UN-led agreement, but efforts for a long-term political settlement failed due to the military offensive by Haftar’s forces.
