On Tuesday, the Libyan National Army (LNA) thwarted an attack by forces loyal to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) to capture Al-Watiya airbase in western Libya.
“The enemy was completely defeated and (LNA) our forces prevented them from advancing towards the Aqriba area,” said Major Osama Amsek, the Commander of the 134th Battalion currently in charge of Al-Watiya airbase in a press statement.
Misleading reports circulating on local media claimed that forces loyal to the GNA had taken control of Al-Watiya airbase after an operation that began at dawn on Tuesday. However, the claims proved to be false.
Libya Review sources have confirmed that 23 GNA fighters died after clashes with the LNA.
This comes just a few hours after President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey announced that forces loyal to the GNA were making significant territorial advances in western Libya.
Meanwhile, the number of Turkish-backed Syrians in Libya has reached 7,850 fighters, with approximately 3,000 others currently in Turkey to receive training prior to deployment to Libya.
Last month, forces loyal to the GNA attempted to launch an attack on Tarhuna, a major stronghold for the LNA in western Libya. Despite being backed by Turkish aircraft and heavy artillery, the attack was thwarted by the LNA.