Haftar forces bar civilian plane from landing in Sabha

TRIPOLI

Warlord Khalifa Haftar’s militia has prevented an Afriqiyah Airways flight from landing at Sabha Airport in southwestern Libya, according to local media on Wednesday.

Libya Al-Ahrar television, citing a source in the state-owned airline, said Haftar’s militia had placed an armed vehicle on the runway, preventing the plane from landing.

Last month, the Libyan government announced the resumption of commercial flights from Tripoli’s Mitiga Airport.

Libya has been torn by civil war since the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) was founded in 2015 under a UN-led agreement, but efforts for a long-term political settlement have failed due to a military offensive by forces loyal to Haftar.

The UN recognizes Fayez al-Sarraj's government as the country's legitimate authority as Tripoli has battled Haftar's militias since April 2019 in a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives.

*Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara