Libya’s east-based army expands no-fly zone in Tripoli to include the Mitiga International Airport
Libya’s east-based army on Wednesday expanded the no-fly zone announced in November in and around the capital Tripoli to include the Mitiga International Airport.
This expansion will start from 5 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) on Jan. 8, according to a statement by the east-based army.
“Airline companies must immediately and totally commit to this declaration and not expose their airplanes to the risk of destruction,” the statement said.
In late November of 2019, the east-based army announced the imposition of a no-fly zone in and around Tripoli where the armed conflict between the east-based army and the UN-backed government continues.
The east-based army said that the reason for the decision is “developments in the military operations, and advancement of the army’s forces into the capital.”
The eastern-based army has been leading a military campaign in and around Tripoli since early April, attempting to take over the city and topple the UN-backed government.
The fighting killed and injured thousands of people, and displaced nearly 120,000 civilians away from their homes.
Libya’s been plagued by insecurity and political division since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
