Operation Volcano of Rage

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Operation Volcano of Rage
Part of the Libyan civil war (2014-2020)

The official emblem used to represent this campaign
DateApril 7, 2019-June 6, 2020
Location
Libya
Result GNA victory
Belligerents

Libya Government of National Accord

Supported by:

Libya House of Representatives

Supported by:

Commanders and leaders
Libya Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj
(head of Presidential Council)
Libya Maj. Gen. Osama al-Juwaili		 Libya Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar
(LNA supreme commander)
Libya Maj. Gen. Abdulrazek al-Nadoori[8]

Operation Volcano of Anger (Arabic: عملية بركان الغضب), alternatively known as Operation Volcano of Rage, was a military resistance campaign launched by the Government of National Accord in Libya to counter the advances of the Libyan National Army led by General Khalifa Haftar. The conflict, which began in April 2019, has witnessed intense fighting around the capital city, Tripoli, and other strategic locations in the country. The operation is part of the broader armed conflict in Libya, marked by shifting alliances, foreign involvement, and a struggle for control over the nation's political future.

Background[edit]

The operation was officially announced on April 7, 2019, by Colonel Mohamed Gnounou, the GNA military spokesman. It was initiated as a counteroffensive to reclaim territories in Tripoli that had been seized by the LNA.[9][10] The GNA mobilized various militias, including those from Misrata, to prevent the LNA from capturing Tripoli and other key locations.[11]

Key Events[edit]

On June 26, the GNA announced a significant victory as Operation Volcano of Rage captured the town of Gharyan from the LNA.[12] Fierce fighting ensued, resulting in the deaths of dozens of LNA soldiers, with at least 18 reported as captured by the GNA. The GNA's air force also targeted LNA convoys withdrawing from the area.[13]

On October 1, Haftar's forces, supported by the UAE, launched artillery shells on Mitiga Airport in Tripoli, as reported by sources from Burkan Al-Ghadab Operation. This marked an escalation of the conflict, with both sides resorting to airstrikes and artillery attacks.[14]

Airstrikes on Misrata Airport by foreign warplanes, backed by the LNA, were reported on October 5.[15] Additionally, attacks on the Equestrian School in Janzour, west of Tripoli, caused casualties among civilians, including children, and led to the destruction of military vehicles.[16]

December 14, heavy clashes occurred in Al-Tughar district in southern Tripoli, where Volcano of Anger Operation forces faced a significant offensive from Haftar's forces. Despite the intensity of the fighting, the GNA's forces, under the command of the Libyan Presidential Council, successfully repelled the attack and seized control of the district.[17][18]

Notably, on May 4, 2020, GNA forces advanced against Haftar's militias around the Hamza military camp, destroying armed and armored vehicles. Airstrikes targeted an ammunition depot inside the Haftar airbase, resulting in casualties. The operation aimed to cut off Haftar's supply lines, and additional strikes hit oil tankers in the Al Qaryat region.[19][20]

The next day, a new offensive was launched to capture Al-Watiya airbase, culminating in its capture on May 18, 2020.[21] Following this success, the GNA forces expanded their control, capturing the towns of Badr and Tiji by May 19, 2020.[22][23]

May 25, the mayor of Bani Walid, said that Russian Wagner Group mercenaries allied to the LNA retreated from Western Libya to an unconfirmed destination along with their heavy equipment. After Antonov An-32 cargo planes landed at Bani Walid airport.[24][25]

On June 4, 2020, GNA forces launched an attack on Tripoli Airport,[26] which they captured successfully.[27] The operation declared 100% control over all administrative borders of Tripoli, expelling the last remnants of Haftar's forces. This marked the end of the LNA's 14-month siege of the GNA capital[28][29]

On June 5, 2020, the GNA had officially declared they had full control over Tarhuna, having expelled the LNA-aligned militias in the region.[30][31]

Conclusion[edit]

The operation was successful in recapturing Tripoli, as well as many other cities and towns around it.[32]

Reactions[edit]

The operation received very positive feedback by the Libyan population, with many eager to join the resistance.[33] Celebrations erupted in the Martyrs' Square when the operation culminated in a success.[34]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Lara, Marco Túlio (2020-06-05). "Libyan Civil War: Is That It for Haftar?". The National Interest. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  2. ^ "Haftar must win over militias to take Tripoli: analysts". France 24. 2019-04-15. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  3. ^ ex_admin (2019-12-14). "Libya: "Zero Hour" of Haftar's forces caused UAE and Russia heavy damage". Libyan Express. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  4. ^ "UAE sent 100 arms shipments to Haftar: Libya gov't". 25 February 2020.
  5. ^ Wintour, Patrick (2019-04-14). "Libya crisis: Egypt's Sisi backs Haftar assault on Tripoli". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  6. ^ "Libya: 8 mercenaries linked to Haftar killed". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  7. ^ Dubai, Jared Malsin in Cairo and Summer Said in. "Saudi Arabia Promised Support to Libyan Warlord in Push to Seize Tripoli". WSJ. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  8. ^ Libya's PC denies negotiations with Haftar's forces, demands UN fact-finding mission Archived 21 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Libya Observer. Published 21 April 2019.
  9. ^ "Libya's GNA forces announce 'counteroffensive' to defend Tripoli". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  10. ^ "Libyan Army launches "Volcano of Rage" military operation to defeat Haftar's coup forces | The Libya Observer". libyaobserver.ly. 2022-12-26. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  11. ^ "Misrata Militias Mobilize to Save Libya's Sarraj". english.aawsat.com. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  12. ^ Wintour, Patrick (2019-06-27). "Libyan government forces capture key town from warlord". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  13. ^ "'Big loss': Libya's UN-recognised government retakes key town". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  14. ^ ex_admin (2019-10-01). "Haftar's forces lauch attack on closed Mitiga Airport in Libya's capital". Libyan Express. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  15. ^ "Foreign drones of Haftar's forces strike Misrata Airport causing casualties, damage | The Libya Observer". libyaobserver.ly. 2023-02-05. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  16. ^ "Libya: Children injured, horses killed in Haftar forces' airstrikes on Equestrian School | The Libya Observer". libyaobserver.ly. 2022-12-26. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  17. ^ ex_admin (2019-12-14). "Libya: "Zero Hour" of Haftar's forces caused UAE and Russia heavy damage". Libyan Express. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  18. ^ Rashed, Ahmed (2019-12-14). "Libya's Haftar Started 'Decisive Battle' for Tripoli". Middle East Observer. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  19. ^ AA, DAILY SABAH WITH (2020-05-04). "Libyan army hits Haftar positions in airstrikes". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  20. ^ "Libyan Army retakes 2 camps from warlord Haftar". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  21. ^ "قوات حكومة الوفاق الوطني الليبية تسيطر على قاعدة "الوطية" الجوية". 2020-05-30. Archived from the original on 2020-05-30. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  22. ^ "Libya: GNA recaptures towns near Tunisia border from Haftar". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  23. ^ "ليبيا.. الوفاق توسّع سيطرتها بالغرب وتطالب مجلس الأمن بلجم الإمارات وتتعهد بمقاضاتها دوليا". 2020-06-04. Archived from the original on 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  24. ^ "Hundreds more Russian mercenaries flee western Libya: GNA forces". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  25. ^ "Russian fighters reportedly flown out of western Libya after Haftar retreat". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  26. ^ "Libyan army launches operation to recapture Tripoli airport". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  27. ^ Agency, Anadolu (2020-06-03). "Libyan gov't captures Tripoli Airport from Haftar forces". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  28. ^ "Libya conflict: GNA regains full control of Tripoli from Gen Haftar". 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  29. ^ "Libya's GNA says it regained full control of the capital, Tripoli". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  30. ^ Eye, Middle East (2020-06-11). "Libya: GNA says mass graves found in Tarhuna after Haftar's retreat". genocidewatch. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  31. ^ ""الوفاق" تدخل ترهونة شرق طرابلس.. ما أهمية السيطرة عليها - عنب بلدي". 2020-06-05. Archived from the original on 2020-06-05. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  32. ^ Lara, Marco Túlio (2020-06-05). "Libyan Civil War: Is That It for Haftar?". The National Interest. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  33. ^ "ليبيا: عملية 'بركان الغضب' مؤلفة من ميليشيات غير متجانسة". www.afrigatenews.net (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  34. ^ "Libyans celebrate liberation of Tripoli from Haftar". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
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