Pro-Haftar fighters occupy oilfield in southern Libya
09:26, 22/02/2019, FridayU: Update: 09:27, 22/02/2019, Friday
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Forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar previously took control of Al-Sharara oilfield
Forces loyal to Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar claimed Thursday they occupied an oilfield southcentral Ubari.
The Haftar forces, who is supported by the Tobruk-based House of Representatives (HoR) forces took control of the Elephant Oilfield without conflict, Haftar spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari said in a written statement.
Haftar forces announced two weeks ago they took “full control” of nearby Al-Sharara oilfield.
On Jan. 15, Haftar forces launched in southern Libya to “fight against Al-Qaeda and Daesh terrorist groups, clear out Chadian opposition groups, and dismiss human traffickers in the region”.
Libya has struggled to maintain oil production since 2011, when longstanding President Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and killed in a bloody NATO-backed uprising, triggering years of political turbulence and unrest.