The Ministry of Defence representing the Tripoli-based Libyan government led by Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba announced today that it had conducted air strikes in the West Coast region. The announcement came after local social media followed by local media reported drone strikes in various areas of Zawia. The Defence Ministry also reported strikes later in the Zuwara area.
Those opposed to the strikes have insisted that the strikes were conducted by Turkish drones and not Libyan ones.
Here is the official Defence Ministry statement:
‘‘The Ministry of Defence reports that our national aviation carried out accurate and targeted air strikes this morning against the hideouts of fuel smuggling gangs, drug trafficking and human trafficking in the West Coast region, and by the grace of God, they were successful strikes that achieved their desired goals.
The Ministry of Defence, while carrying out its national mission under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister, confirms the implementation of the instructions and the military plan set in order to cleanse the areas of the West Coast and the rest of Libya of dens of crime and gang actions, and that it will never delay in carrying out its national duty.
The Ministry of Defence also calls on all citizens to fully cooperate with the military forces and the General Staff in military operations, which will not stop until all of its objectives are achieved’’.
