By Houda Mzioudet.
Tunis, 14 December 2014:
Libya Dawn guards at the Ras Jedir crossing on the Libyan-Tunisian border have fled across into . . .[restrict]Tunisian territory and some to Zuwara. Although Libya Dawn insist they still contol it, a Tunisian border post official confirmed the news to the Libya Herald, saying that the Libyan border guards were just inside Tunisia beyond the border post.
The border is now reported to have been closed by the Tunisians while the clashes continue.
According to the head of the LNA air force, Saqr Adam Geroushi, the LNA is now in control of Ras Jedir. However, video footage purportedly shot early this morning shows the Libyan post deserted, with travellers walking past unchallenged by anyone.
The Tunisian official also said that there had been fighting in the Abu Khammash area as well as at the last security checkpoint on the Libyan coastal road, some ten kilometres east of the border. The checkpoint was now in the hands of the LNA, he stated. Other reports have confirmed the fighting in which two men from Zuwara and one from Misrata are said to have been killed. Geroushi claims that in the fighting in the area several senior military figures from Misrata along with a significant number of fighters had surrendered.
On the Tunisia side of the border in Zarzis and Ben Guerdane, residents reported hearing “a huge explosion” on the Libya side.
Libya Dawlia TV is also reporting LNA air raids this morning between Zultan and south of Sabratha. There are reports too of air strikes near Ras Jedir and Zuwara as well as of LNA Zintani forces taking full control of Zultan and of nearby Abu Khammash.
If true, it would mean that the LNA Zintani units have now achieved their strategic objective of blocking of the main coastal road between Tunisia and the capital.
The situation at Ras Jadir had been unclear for much of the past week. Three days ago, the LNA forces claimed to have taken it, posting a photo of one of its soldiers at the border post. However, until yesterday the post was widely reported to be still in the hands of Libya Dawn guards from Zuwara and the photo may have been taken quickly and illicitly for propaganda purposes.
Last week, the Tunisian Deputy Interior Minister told this newspaper that the border would not close unless the Libyans closed it. [/restrict]
