Third Force denies truce in southern Libya

Commander of Libya’s Third Force, affiliated with the Government of National Accords (GNA), Jamal Traiki said his forces did not agree to a truce in the south to stop clashes with forces loyal to retired General Khalifa Haftar.

Traiki denied reports that his forces have committed extrajudicial killings in the area, adding what was agreed between GNA Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj and Haftar in Abu Dhabi does not concern his forces. The pair met in the UAE at the start of the month

The comments came days after dozens of Haftar forces were killed in a surprise attack on the Brak Al- Shatti base on Thursday.

According to Haftar’s forces, up to 141 people were killed and some were executed without trial. Meanwhile, medical and local officials said on Friday that at least 89 people were killed, noting that this is not the final death count.

The details of the attack, which took place about 240 kilometres south of Al-Jafra and which was led by the 13th Battalion under the leadership of Defence Minister, Mahdi Al- Barghathi, have yet to be revealed.

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Following the attack, Al-Sarraj announced that he had suspended Al-Barghathi and the Third Force Commander, Jamal Triki, until those responsible for violating the truce and ceasefire were identified.

Al-Sarraj condemned the escalation at Brak Al-Shatti “in the strongest terms” and called for an immediate ceasefire. He denied issuing any instructions to the Ministry of Defence.