The spokesperson for the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) said on Tuesday there is no coordination with the government in Tripoli regarding ongoing military operations in southern Libya.
In a press statement, Brigadier Ahmed Al-Mismari noted the LNA has previous experience fighting Chadian armed opposition groups who would retreat towards the Tibesti Mountains. However, he said the Chadian army is now blocking them from seeking refuge there.
Al-Mismari expressed hope that Libya’s divided military and security institutions will soon be unified under a single command. He criticized authorities in western Libya for focusing resources on the coast guard to deter migrants while neglecting protection of the sensitive southern borders.
The LNA launched a major security sweep in the south last week to purge foreign armed groups and human trafficking networks near the borders with Chad and Niger. The campaign has included airstrikes and ground operations.