Tripoli’s only functioning airport hit by air raid

Forces loyal to the internationally recognized Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) are pictured at the entrance gate leading to Tripoli’s old airport on April 8, 2019. Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar’s forces are battling for control of an area some 30 kilometers (18 miles) south of the capital near Tripoli’s international airport, which was destroyed in 2014. (Photo by MAHMUD TURKIA / AFP)

TRIPOLI, Libya — A warplane carried out an air strike Monday against the Libyan capital’s only functioning airport, authorities at the site said, as fighting raged for control of Tripoli.

A security source at Mitiga airport east of the city said no side had yet claimed responsibility for the raid, which hit a runway without causing casualties.

There has been heavy fighting near Tripoli since the forces of military strongman Khalifa Haftar launched an assault on Thursday aimed at taking the capital.

Oil-rich Libya has been rocked by violent power struggles between an array of armed groups since the NATO-backed overthrow of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Haftar, a former Kadhafi military chief, has emerged as a major player, his self-styled Libyan National Army backing an administration in the country’s east in opposition to the UN-backed government based in Tripoli.

The capital’s main airport was destroyed in fighting in 2014.

Mitiga airport is on a former military base on the city’s eastern outskirts, and it was forced to close several times because of clashes between militias last year.

/atm