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| - After Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar rejected a ceasefire with the UN-recognised government to halt his nine-month offensive, here is an overview of the conflict causing growing international alarm. On April 4, Haftar orders his troops to "advance" on Tripoli, seat since 2016 of the Government of National Accord (GNA) which he claims is backed by "terrorist" groups. The retired general supports a parallel administration based in the eastern city of Tobruk, and his forces already control the country's main southern oil fields. His Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF) briefly seize Tripoli's war-destroyed international airport but are pushed back on April 5. Government forces announce a counter-offensive called "Volcano of Anger" on April 7. Haftar's aircraft carry out a strike against Tripoli's only functioning airport, Mitiga, on April 8. On April 19, the White House says President Donald Trump recognises Haftar's "significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya's oil resources". On June 26, GNA forces retake the town of Gharyan, the LAAF's main supply base southwest of the capital. On July 2, an air strike hits a migrant detention centre in a Tripoli suburb. Fifty-three people are killed and 130 wounded. The GNA blames Haftar's forces, which deny responsibility. On November 5, The New York Times reports that Russia has sent about 200 mercenaries to support Haftar. Moscow denies the claim. On the 15th, the United States urges Haftar to end his offensive. On November 27, Turkey and the GNA sign a military and maritime deal which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says could lead to joint exploration activities in a gas-rich area of the Mediterranean. Other Mediterranean countries express alarm. On December 10, a UN report accuses several countries of breaching a 2011 arms embargo by supplying the opposing camps. While Turkey supports the GNA, its rivals Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are among countries backing Haftar. On January 6, Haftar's forces announce they have taken control of the strategic Mediterranean city of Sirte, about 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of Tripoli. On January 8, Erdogan says Turkey has sent 35 soldiers to Libya in a non-fighting capacity. He claims there are 2,500 Russian mercenaries supporting Haftar, which Moscow denies. France, Greece, Egypt and Cyprus declare "null and void" agreements between Ankara and Libya assigning Turkey rights over a vast area of the eastern Mediterranean. Amid growing international concern about Libya becoming a "second Syria", Turkey and Russia call for a ceasefire to start on January 12. After initial reluctance, Haftar's forces agree on January 11. The GNA immediately announces it will also sign on. On January 13 the two camps hold seven hours of talks in Moscow on terms of the truce but do not actually meet. GNA chief Fayez al-Sarraj signs the deal but Haftar asks for more time to consider the accord. He leaves Moscow on January 14 without signing the document. Since the start of the offensive against Tripoli, more than 280 civilians and about 2,000 fighters have been killed and 146,000 Libyans displaced, according to the United Nations. doc-br/jmy/fz
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