By Libya Herald reporters.
Tripoli/Tunis, 30 April 2015:
Forces of the Libyan National Army (LNA) claim that they have cut the coastal highway between Tripoli . . .[restrict]and Zawia, taking Maya and Bridge 27, both to the west of Janzour, as well as Al-Najila, 20 kilometres south west the capital. They also claim to have moved into the nearby southern Tripoli suburb of Krimea (“Crimea”) on the Swani road.
The claims have not been confirmed.
Reports that the forces, mainly Warshefanis, today entered Janzour appear to be untrue.
The west Tripoli suburb was formerly part of the Warshefana district of Jafara and until last summer a large percentage of its inhabitants were Warshefanis. Many have since fled. The Warshefana regard it as part of their “territory” and the publicly stated aim of Omar Tantoush, the commander of the Warshefana forces, is the liberation of the entire Warshefana area.
However, Janzour is unlikely to fall into Warshefana hands without a bloody fight. Two Libya Dawn forces are in the district, the Fursan Janzour (Janzour Knights) and the Mobile Forces, and both are well armed and deeply antagonistic to the Warshefana, which they regards as Qaddafi supporters.
If Janzour were to fall into Warshefana hands, it is thought it could lead to a “domino effect” in Tripoli. The neighbouring suburb of Ghut Shaal is strongly anti-Dawn. [/restrict]
