A spokesman for the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) said its fighters had advanced in “several regions in the south” from an airbase some 650 kilometres (400 miles) from the capital Tripoli. Military sources told AFP that numerous LNA units had taken up positions in recent days around the region’s main city of Sabha. Haftar supports an administration in the east of the country that is opposed to the internationally backed Government of National Accord in Tripoli. The chaos has seen jihadists and people traffickers gain a foothold in the south of the country. IS has carried out repeated attacks across the country, targeting both Haftar’s forces and the rival Tripoli-based authorities.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 16, 2019 19:41 UTC