Troops commanded by Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive Tuesday to seize two key oil terminals, as fighting raged in Tripoli where a rival government has struggled to assert its authority. Libya has experienced years of violence and lawlessness since the 2011 Nato-backed ouster of long-time dictator Muammar Qadhafi, with rival parliaments and governments trading barbs and militias fighting over territory and the country's vast oil wealth.
Forces loyal to Haftar started the assault to retake the oil terminals of Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra, after both sites were seized by a rival, Islamist-led force earlier this month.
In September, pro-Haftar forces captured Ras Lanuf, Al-Sidra and two other eastern oil ports in a blow to the authority of the UN-backed unity government in Tripoli.
Haftar backs a rival administration in the country's far east that has refused to cede power to the Government of National Accord (GNA) working in the capital since last year.
"Ground, sea and air forces launched joint attacks to liberate Ras Lanuf from terrorist groups," said Khalifa al-Abidi, a spokesman for pro-Haftar forces. Abidi said the orders were issued early Tuesday for the offensive, which is also targeting the nearby Al-Sidra oil terminal.
Oil accounts for more than 95 percent of Libya's revenues.
Haftar's forces, which call themselves the Libyan National Army (LNA), have battled jihadists in second city Benghazi for more than two years.
Russia has been cultivating Haftar as an ally, with the military strongman making several visits to Moscow.
In Tripoli, fresh fighting raged on Tuesday between rival armed groups, authorities in the capital said, causing UN Libya envoy Martin Kobler to call for an "immediate cease-fire".
"Civilians at grave risk in ongoing clashes," he wrote on Twitter.
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