Zawiya—A military operation has been underway for two days in the City of Zawiya, 40 km west of Tripoli, with a declared objective to combat “dens of corruption,” crime and drug trafficking in the area, according to a statement by the Western Coast Military Region (WCMR).
The Commander of the WCMR Salah Al-Din Al-Namroush said the military operations “are being carried out under direct instructions from the head of the Government of National Unity (GNU), who is also acting as Minister of Defense, maintaining, “the main goal is to preserve security and stability in the region.”
“The operations are being managed comprehensively and accurately, with the forces emphasizing not to retreat until the set goals are achieved, which are to impose security and eliminate crime,” the statement said.
In a meeting on Saturday, he denied the existence of any political goals behind these operations. Members of the House of Representatives and the State Council from the western region attended the meeting including the president of the State Council Khaled Al-Mishri, dignitaries, and representatives of civil societies in the city.
These military operations have occurred shortly after the Libyan National Army in eastern Libya carried out last week a similar military operation in the south claiming it secured communications with oil fields and enhanced stability in vital areas.
Meanwhile, the head of GNU Abdulhamid Dbeibah instructed the Minister of Interior to circulate to his agencies and forces not to allow any armed vehicles to leave barracks or carry out any actions that would hinder the implementation of the military operation except with direct coordination with Al-Namroush.
Armed groups are present in almost all cities and villages in western region that expands from Sirte to the Tunisian borders. They all claim to be affiliated in one way or another with the GNU and previous governments. The members of these groups receive monthly allowances from the public budget.
