By Libya Herald staff.
22 December 2014:
The strategically important towns of Al-Jmail is again in Libya Dawn hands following a reported deal with . . .[restrict]officials in Misrata. However, the full extent of the Libya Dawn control is not known.
Over the weekend, LD forces moved into part of Al-Jmail but were then forced out after being attacked in LNA ground and air strikes.
The town has until now been allied to Zintan and supporting the HoR, not so much because of any strong attachment to Zintan or concern about the wider Libya crisis, more so because of opposition to neighbouring Zuwara which supports Libya Dawn (LD).
It is reported that yesterday morning, however, a delegation from the local council went to Misrata and cut a deal to keep the town out of the fighting and prevent Zuwara forces from entering it.
Al-Jmail is of major strategic importance for the Zintanis and the LNA forces. It controls the road to Al-Wattiya airbase currently being used by LNA jet fighters to strike LD forces. Were it to fall into LD hands, it would deprive the LNA of their current air superiority.
It is reported, too, that neigbouring Rigdaleen, which also has been allied to Zintan and opposed to Zuwara, is likewise in LD hands.
Meanwhile there are said to have been some minor clashes in Sabratha during the day between a group of local pro-HoR supporters and LD forces. For its part, however, Libya Dawn now says it is in full control of the zone between the Tunisian border and the capital. [/restrict]
