Salafists loyal to Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar control Sabratha, declare war on Tripoli

After over 15 days of intense fighting in the coastal city of Sabratha, an alliance of Salafists forces, Madkhalists, and forces loyal to eastern commander Khalifa Haftar, who heads Operation Dignity in Benghazi, has announced taking control of the city, pushing the main rival Brigade 48 away from the city’s borders.

According to local sources, the Fighting IS Operations Room, Al-Wadi Brigade – mainly Salafists and Madkhalists – as well as forces loyal to the self-styled army in east Libya have claimed control of the city and the rival forces retreated to the fringes of Sabratha.

All mentioned forces have admitted their loyalty to what they called the national army led by Haftar, who hailed the advance and said earlier this week that his forces are fighting the human trafficking gangs and terrorists in Sabratha.

Meanwhile, according to sources and media pages loyal to the retired general, Haftar has ordered his officers and military fighters to be prepared for the liberation of Tripoli, following the alleged control of Sabratha – 78 km away from Tripoli.