Special to WorldTribune.com
CAIRO — Egypt and the United Arab Emirates have been accused of launching air strikes on Islamist militias in Libya.
Anti-government militias operating in Tripoli said they have come under attack from aircraft sent by Egypt and the UAE. They said the two Arab states, both of which operate the U.S.-origin F-16 multi-role fighter, launched at least three strikes around Tripoli International Airport, captured by the militias in late August.
“The Emirates and Egypt are involved in this cowardly aggression,” a statement by a leading militia, Operation Libyan Dawn, said.
The militias said the air strikes were coordinated with the provisional Libyan government as well as Gen. Khalifa Haftar. Haftar, who claimed responsibility for fighter-jet operations on Tripoli, has been regarded as working for Egypt and Gulf Cooperation Council states to restore order in Libya.
Libyan Dawn said the UAE was providing combat platforms to Zintan. The militia, based in Misrata, displayed the Nimr armored fighting vehicle, developed by the UAE.
Egypt has denied any military intervention in Libya. The UAE has not yet formally responded.
The air strikes came amid heavy fighting from Dawn and rival Islamist militias. The fighting has paralyzed Tripoli and prompted the flight of parliament as well as the United Nations and foreign embassies.
Parliament has outlawed Libyan Dawn as well as Ansar Al Sharia. Ansar was said to control most of the eastern city of Benghazi, which also came under air strikes.
“This is a war between the Libyan state and the state institutions led by our sons, soldiers and officers in the army, against terrorist groups outside of the law,” parliament said. “The groups acting under the names of Libyan Dawn and Ansar Al Sharia are terrorist groups and outlaws that are rising up against the legitimate powers.”
Libyan Dawn has claimed the capture of the Tripoli airport from a rival militia from Zintan. Zintan had controlled the airport since the fall of Libyan ruler Moammar Khaddafy in 2011.
“Libyan Dawn announces that it totally controls Tripoli International Airport,” Libyan Dawn on late Aug. 23. “They have entered the airport and are mopping up pockets of resistance.”
Libyan jihadists complain Egypt’s F-16s backing Gen. Haftar campaign added by World Tribune on
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