Libyan Forces Aligned With Tripoli Government Capture Key Air Base

Fighters loyal to Libya's UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) are seen outside a hangar, after they seized control of Al-Watiya airbase also known as Okba Ibn Nafa airbase, southwest of the capital Tripoli, on May 18, 2020. Mahmud Turkia/AFP via Getty Images

CAIRO—Forces aligned with Libya’s internationally recognized government took control of an airbase southwest of Tripoli on May 18 after a sustained assault, in what could be their most significant advance for nearly a year.

Watiya airbase, 125 km (80 miles) from the capital, has been an important strategic foothold for forces loyal to eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar, who launched an offensive to capture Tripoli in April 2019.