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Battle of Al-Watiya Airbase

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Battle of Al-Watiya Airbase
Part of Libyan civil war (2014–2020)

GNA forces circle Al-Watiya airbase after capturing it
Date8 April 2019-19 May 2020
Location
Al-Watiya Air Base, Libya
Result GNA victory
Belligerents

Libya House of Representatives
Supported by:

Libya Government of National Accord
Supported by:

Commanders and leaders
Libya Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar
(LNA supreme commander)		 Libya Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj
(head of Presidential Council)
Strength
Unknown Unknown

The Battle of Al-Watiya Airbase in 2020 marked a crucial turning point in the Second Libyan Civil War, as Government of National Accord (GNA) forces sought to reclaim control from the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by General Khalifa Haftar.

Background

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In April 2019, General Haftar's forceslaunched an offensive to seize the capital, Tripoli, from the UN-backed Government of National Accord.[1] During this offensive, Air Force planes loyal to the GNA attacked LNA positions, escalating tensions between the opposing factions.

Airstrikes and escalations

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On April 8, 2019, a series of airstrikes occurred involving both pro-LNA and pro-GNA air forces.[2] Pro-GNA fighter jets targeted the Al-Watiya air force base, prompting a swift response from pro-LNA MiG-21 fighter jets that successfully bombed the pro-GNA Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli. The exchange of airstrikes demonstrated the intensity of the conflict.[3][4]

A Mirage F1 incident on April 24, 2019, near Al-Watiya Air Base added further complexity.[5] Initially claimed by pro-LNA sources as a pro-GNA Mirage F-1AD shot down, later analysis suggested it was a Mirage F1-AD with an unclear ownership history. However, analysis by foreign experts revealed it to be actually a Mirage F1-AD serial number 402, and initially suggested it was previously in the possession of the pro-LNA air forces, and that it was shot down by its own pro-LNA anti-air defences.[6][7]

Siege and counter-attacks

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On 19 June 2019, pro-GNA forces claimed that their fighter jets bombed pro-LNA Al Watiya air force base, destroying on the runway a Russian Su-22 fighter bomber just as it was taking off.[8][9] The conflict continued in April 2020 when GNA forces besieged Al-Watiya Air Base, prompting a counter-attack by LNA forces that captured the town of Al-Aqrabiya.[10][11]

GNA offensive and capture

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On May 5, 2020, the GNA launched a new offensive to capture Al-Watiya airbase, claiming to have successfully encircled the base.[12][13] GNA forces claimed to have destroyed two enemy Grad Rocket launch vehicles and various ammunition vehicles.[14] The sustained assault culminated in the capture of the airbase on May 18, 2020, marking a significant advancement for forces aligned with Libya's internationally recognized government.[15] GNA forces seized the remains of 2 Mirage F1 and 1 Su-22.[16][17]

Aftermath and developments

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Following the capture, the GNA forces secured a Pantsir-S1 TLAR at the base, transporting it for examination.[18] On July 4, 2020, unidentified "foreign" warplanes targeted Al-Watiya Air Base, with conflicting reports on the extent of damage. The base's subsequent expansion, improvements to the runway, and ongoing air operations underscored its continued strategic importance.[19]

References

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  1. ^ "Khalifa Haftar declares war on Tripoli | The Libya Observer". 2019-04-05. Archived from the original on 2019-04-05. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  2. ^ ex_admin (2019-04-06). "Libya's western Air Force strikes Haftar's forces positioned in Mizda, Sooq Al-Khamis". Libyan Express. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  3. ^ "Tripoli's only functional airport hit by air raid as clashes rage". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  4. ^ "UN-backed Libya gov't jets strike Haftar's airbase". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  5. ^ "Images claiming to show downed GNA Mirage F-1 in #Libya". MENA Defense & Security.
  6. ^ Berkowitz, Oded. "According to @LNASpox, the wreckage is of an aircraft (in fact a Mirage F-1) that was shot down after bombing al-Watiyah airbase (120km SW of #Tripoli)". X.
  7. ^ "Two of Libya's Mirage F-1s fighter jets fly again". Military Africa. 2021-06-02. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  8. ^ ex_admin (2019-06-19). "Heavy fighting in southern Tripoli as Libyan Air Force destroys Sukhoi aircraft for Haftar's forces". Libyan Express. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  9. ^ "Libyan Air Force destroys ammo, weapons and vehicles for Haftar's forces near Gharyan | The Libya Observer". 2023-03-21. Archived from the original on 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  10. ^ "Besieged Airbase Shows Turkey Turning the Tide in Libya's War". www.bloomberg.com. 17 April 2019. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  11. ^ "Libia: portavoce Haftar, respinta offensiva del Gna sulla base aerea di Al Watiya". Agenzia Nova (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  12. ^ "Libya: GNA launch offensive to capture al-Watiya airbase". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  13. ^ "Libyan army surrounds al-Watiya air base". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  14. ^ "Libyan army conducts 24 air ops on al-Watiya airbase". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  15. ^ "Libyan forces aligned with Tripoli government capture key air base". www.reuters.com. 18 May 2020.
  16. ^ ex_admin (2020-05-18). "Libya's GNA forces seize full control of strategic Al-Watiya airbase". Libyan Express. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  17. ^ Trevithick, Joseph (2021-01-27). "Smuggled a Russian-Made Pantsir Air Defense System Out Of Libya: Report". The War Zone. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  18. ^ Sutton, H. I. "One Of Russia's Most Advanced Missile Systems Captured In Libya". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
  19. ^ world, Fighter jets (2020-07-08). "French Rafale Jets Allegedly Attack and Destroyed Turkish Air Defense System In Al-Watiya Airbase?". Fighter Jets World. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
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