PRO-GOVERNMENT FORCES SEIZE LAST WESTERN STRONGHOLD

CAIRO Forces of Libya’s Un-backed government seized control of the last remaining western stronghold of militia commander Khalifa Hifter on Friday, shattering the warlord’s military ambitions and plunging the North African oil producer into an uncertain future.

Turkish-backed, pro-government fighters reached the centre of Tarhuna, roughly 64 kilometres southeast of the capital, Tripoli, on Friday morning after Hifter’s forces retreated, according to military commanders and security analysts. Videos posted on social media showed pickup trucks mounted with machine guns rolling into enclaves and fighters flashing victory signs.

Mohammed Gnounou, a military spokesman for the Tripoli government, said in a statement that its fighters entered the city from four directions and gave Hifter’s forces a “lesson they will not forget.” Hifter’s military office did not respond to a request for comment

As of Friday afternoon, pro-government forces were reported to be pushing eastward to other Hifter-controlled areas.

The swift capture of Tarhuna came a day after the 76-year-old eastern strongman’s forces retreated from their last positions in Tripoli. Hifter launched an offensive on the capital 15 months ago in an attempt to oust the Un-installed government and install himself as Libya’s ruler.