International Shia News Agency

PressTV/ Libyan capital’s last functional airport targeted in airstrike

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association)- Libyan officials say the capital city’s only functional airport has been targeted in an air raid by a low-flying jet.

Local witnesses and a security source said that the fighter jet launched two missiles at the Mitiga airport in an eastern suburb of Tripoli on Monday.

The security source went on to say that the missiles hit an area near the airport’s runway without damaging it.

The source also said that the airport’s terminal was not damaged in the attack, but flights were temporarily diverted 200 kilometers east of the capital to the Misrata airport.

Troops loyal to Khalifa Haftar, a dissident former general, have claimed responsibility for the strike.

All civilian flights were moved to Mitiga after the capital’s main international airport was severely damaged by fighting in July.

Libya plunged into chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. The ouster of Gaddafi gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions.

The country has been witnessing numerous clashes between government forces and rival militia groups that refuse to lay down arms. The groups are now turning their guns on each other in an attempt to dominate politics and the country’s vast oil resources.

The Libyan government and elected parliament moved to the eastern city of Tobruk after an armed group from the town Misrata seized the capital and most state institutions in August.

The new Tripoli rulers have set up a rival parliament, which is not recognized by the government and the global community.

 

Source: PressTV

www.shafaqna.com

 

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