On Monday, the Libya National Army (LNA) targeted a boat, carrying dozens of fighters affiliated with the Government of National Accord (GNA). The vessel had entered a military exclusion zone, off the coast of Sirte.
According to LNA spokesman Major General Ahmed Al-Mismari, the boat entered the zone on Sunday. After failing to comply with several warnings from the LNA’s navy, it was struck with a missile.
“The LNA forces carried out a search and rescue operation to find survivors, without any positive results so far”, Al-Mismari said. The spokesman added that the boat wreckage was found near the Ras Lanuf coast.
He pointed out that prior to targeting the boat, the GNA announced that 20 Syrian fighters were wanted, for attempting to escape to eastern Libya on a stolen boat.
Notably, the LNA has previously called on all states approaching Libya’s territorial waters and airspace, to coordinate with the General Command of the LNA.