TRIPOLI, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Fighter jets of the UN-backed government of Libya on Thursday launched nine airstrikes targeting positions of the rival east-based army near the capital Tripoli.
"The air force launched nine airstrikes targeting military vehicles of the militias of the war criminal Haftar near Tripoli," said Mohamed Gonono, spokesman of the UN-backed government's forces, in a statement.
"The airstrikes destroyed an ammunition vehicle, an Emirati armored vehicle, two tanks and a heavy Hauser artillery that were bombing civilian areas in Tripoli," the statement said.
Meanwhile, the east-based army announced targeting a position of the UN-backed government's forces in central Tripoli, revealing no details about casualties.
Tripoli, home to more than 2 million people, has been witnessing armed conflict since early April between the UN-backed government and the east-based army, which is attempting to take over Tripoli and topple the UN-backed government.
The fighting has killed and injured thousands of people, and forced nearly 120,000 to flee their homes.
