Military history of Libya

The Libyan army announced June 6 it launched five airstrikes on Sirte, soon after it indicated the liberation of the city is its new goal after Tarhuna. 

The government's Burkan Al-Ghadab (Volcano of Rage) Operation said the strikes targeted armored vehicles provided by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and militias loyal to renegade Gen. Khalifa Haftar.

Forces loyal to Libya's internationally recognized government captured the last major stronghold of eastern commander Khalifa Haftar near Tripoli on June 5, capping the sudden collapse of his 14-month offensive on the capital.

Forces backing Libya's unity government said on June 3 they had reseized the capital's Tripoli International Airport, held since 2019 by rival forces backing Khalifa Haftar, in the latest in a string of defeats for the eastern-based military commander.

Turkey will not allow any uncertainty in Libya, said Vice President Fuat Oktay on May 29, and voiced full support for Libya's legitimate government.

Speaking at a virtual meeting of Atlantic Council and Turkish Heritage Organization, Oktay stressed that illegal forces loyal to renegade commander Khalifa Haftar should recognize Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj's government.

Russia has recently deployed fighter aircraft to Libya to support Russian mercenaries who are battling for warlord Khalifa Haftar, said U.S. military leaders on May 26.

Forces backing Libya's U.N.-recognised government said on May 25 that hundreds of Russian mercenaries fighting for rival military commander Khalifa Haftar had been evacuated from combat zones south of the capital Tripoli.    

Turkey has decided to freeze the assets of the Libyan Investment Authority and the Libyan Africa Investment Portfolio in line with a decision by the United Nations Security Council.

The spokesman for Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar's forces announced early on May 20 that as of midnight they would be withdrawing 2-3 kilometers (around 1.8 miles) from fronts south of Tripoli. 

Ahmed Al-Mismari said on social media they will be pulling back so people in the capital can celebrate the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Libya's army on May 18 retook Al-Watiya airbase occupied by warlord Khalifa Haftar's militias, a key airbase now back under government control after some six years under putschist forces.

The victory was announced by the media office of the government-led Burkan Al-Ghadab (Volcano of Rage) Operation, citing Osama al-Juwaili, the commander of Operation Peace Storm.

NATO is ready to support Libya's government led by Fayez al-Sarraj, the head of the military alliance said on May 14.

In an interview with Italian daily La Repubblica, Jens Stoltenberg noted that NATO has 30 partners, which on many issues have different positions, but added that Turkey remains an important ally.