Thread by @ThomasVLinge

#Libya 🇱🇾: after weeks of heavy fighting #GNA forces have captured Watiyah airbase.

This is the biggest victory for the GNA ever since the #Tripoli offensive started a year ago, with the capture of the airbase they have cleared the entire western flank of #LNA forces

#Libya 🇱🇾: spoils captured at Watiyah airbase include a Russian-made Pantsir anti-air system.

Crystal clear indication of Russian involvement on the #LNA side

The biggest winner of today is arguably Turkey who will now (through it's GNA allies) be able to set up a permanent base in Watiyah, solidifying its presence in the Maghreb region

It will be important to watch how the #GNA will no approach towns like Zintan and al-Rujban, south of Watiyah. Although these towns hold pro-#LNA sentiments they largely stayed out of the fighting.

Most likely the GNA will try to pull them out of the LNA camp through diplomacy

#Libya 🇱🇾: Watiyah airbase after its capture by #GNA forces.

#Libya 🇱🇾: #GNA fighters have entered the pro-#LNA towns of Badr and Tiji without a fight this morning.

Meanwhile the LNA had announced a withdrawal from the #Tripoli frontlines, fall of Watiyah has made the situation unsustainable

#Libya 🇱🇾: pro-#LNA fighters have set fire to the municipality building in the town of al-Asabiah (S of Gharyan) after the local council reportedly switched sides to the #GNA

#Libya 🇱🇾: pro-#GNA sources report the destruction of 3 Russian-made Pantsir systems at the hands of Turkish droned around #LNA-held Tarhuna

#Libya 🇱🇾: #GNA fighters have seized control of the town of al-Asabiah. dealing another blow to the #LNA camp while further isolating #Zintan and al-Rujban

#Libya 🇱🇾: #Haftar's airforce chief is threatening with the “largest aerial campaign in Libyan history” as RUAF warplanes are reportedly moved from #Syria to #LNA bases in LY.

Are we going to see brutal Russian carpet bombardments in LY like we saw in SY? bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

#Libya 🇱🇾: #GNA fighters in al-Asabiah following the retreat of (pro)#LNA forces.

Next target is reported to be the town of Mizdah, located alongside the last LNA supply line to #Tripoli

#Libya 🇱🇾: footage by @libyaalahrartv shows the moment #GNA fighters advance into the town of al-Asabiah

#Libya 🇱🇾: In areas under #GNA control insecurity and lawlessness remain widespread. Wisal Abdul Hafeez Muhamed Abdul-Hadi, was kidnapped from her #Tripoli home two days ago when gunmen robbed the house en.alwasat.ly/news/libya/283…

#Libya 🇱🇾: #GNA fighter have captured the Qudhama gate, located on the road to Mizdah, south of al-Asabiah

#Libya 🇱🇾: at the end of tjr afternoon #GNA fighters reached the northern entrance to Mizdah, once this town falls #LNA forces in #Tripoli are basically cut off

#Libya 🇱🇾: the local council of al-Urban (east of #Gharyan) has agreed to surrender to the #GNA without a fight as pro-GNA fighter continue to advance on #LNA forces across the region

#Libya 🇱🇾: #LNA lines in #Tripoli continue to collapse as #GNA fighters have seized the Tkbali camp in the Ain Zara suburb.

LNA forces are reported to be pulling out of Tripoli to set up a defense in the town of Tarhuna which is facing GNA attacks on it's own

#Libya 🇱🇾: as this map by @W_Lacher illustrates, Tarhuna fighters make up a large part of the #LNA fighting force in #Tripoli.

You can be sure that once their own town is under threat they will pull out of the Tripoli

When talking about conflicts like Libya, but also Syria and Yemen we're always inclined to talk about the international geopolitical dimension, but local dynamics can be just as decisive in the outcome of a battle

#Libya 🇱🇾: #GNA forces have dealt a final blow to the #LNA's hold in southern #Tripoli by capturing the Yarmouk camp, putting an end to months of indiscriminate shelling on the capital.

#Haftar's Tripoli campaign has ended in utter failure

#Libya 🇱🇾: #GNA fighters also took control of the Hamza military base in the #Tripoli suburbs. Swift advances on LNA forces are still slowed down somewhat by the large number of explosives left behind in the area

#Libya 🇱🇾: #LNA forces managed to recapture the town of Mizdah, south of the Nafusa mountains, being greeted by happy locals.

The flat desert terrain, local support and air support gives LNA forces the advantage in this area

#Libya 🇱🇾: #LNA forces are still in control of #Tripoli international airport and the adjacent town of Qasr Bin Ghashir. #GNA fighters are expected to move on these positions next

#Libya 🇱🇾: southern #Tripoli suburbs are riddled with explosives, left behind by #LNA forces to slow the #GNA's advances.

Clearing the area will take weeks if not months, meaning displaced residents will have to wait before they can return

#Libya 🇱🇾: #GNA fighters were forced to pull out of the Yarmouk camp in southern #Tripoli after heavy #LNA shelling on the area

#Libya 🇱🇾: Russian Wagner soldiers were spotted on the road in Bani Walid today, reportedly pulling out of the #Tripoli front