Soldiers fighting for Libya's UN-backed Government of National Accord arrived in eastern Tripoli on Saturday.
The outskirts of Libya's capital has seen escalating fighting between the forces of the Libyan National Army (LNA) of the interim government in the east of the country and forces loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Accord in the west. Those arriving in eastern Tripoli on Saturday, at an area called Tajoura, had travelled from the Libyan city of Misrata, 200 kilometres (124 miles) east of the capital.
Tajoura is close to the areas of clashes in Aziziyah and Ain Zara around Tripoli. The 166th Battalion is estimated at 120 fighters and contains 80 military vehicles with anti-aircraft weapons and cannons. On Thursday, LNA commander Marshal Khalifa Haftar gave direct orders to move towards the capital, aiming to get rid of armed militias.
Forces loyal to Hifter said Saturday they seized control of the main airport in Tripoli.
