Operation Volcano of Rage

The operation was officially announced on April 7, 2019, by Colonel Mohamed Gnounou, the GNA military spokesman. It was initiated as a counteroffensive to reclaim territories in Tripoli that had been seized by the LNA.{{Cite web |title=Libya's GNA forces announce 'counteroffensive' to defend Tripoli |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/4/8/libyas-gna-forces-announce-counteroffensive-to-defend-tripoli |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-12-26 |title=Libyan Army launches "Volcano of Rage" military operation to defeat Haftar's coup forces {{!}} The Libya Observer |url=https://libyaobserver.ly/news/libyan-army-launches-volcano-rage-military-operation-defeat-haftars-coup-forces |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=libyaobserver.ly |language=en}} The GNA mobilized various militias, including those from Misrata, to prevent the LNA from capturing Tripoli and other key locations.{{Cite web |title=Misrata Militias Mobilize to Save Libya's Sarraj |url=https://english.aawsat.com/node/1669711 |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=english.aawsat.com |language=en}}

On June 26, the GNA announced a significant victory as Operation Volcano of Rage captured the town of Gharyan from the LNA.{{Cite news |last=Wintour |first=Patrick |last2= |first2= |date=2019-06-27 |title=Libyan government forces capture key town from warlord |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/27/libya-un-recognised-government-captures-gherian |access-date=2024-02-20 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Fierce fighting ensued, resulting in the deaths of dozens of LNA soldiers, with at least 18 reported as captured by the GNA. The GNA's air force also targeted LNA convoys withdrawing from the area.{{Cite web |title='Big loss': Libya's UN-recognised government retakes key town |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/6/27/big-loss-libyas-un-recognised-government-retakes-key-town |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}

On October 1, Haftar's forces, supported by the UAE, launched artillery shells on Mitiga Airport in Tripoli, as reported by sources from Burkan Al-Ghadab Operation. This marked an escalation of the conflict, with both sides resorting to airstrikes and artillery attacks.{{Cite web |last=ex_admin |date=2019-10-01 |title=Haftar's forces lauch attack on closed Mitiga Airport in Libya's capital |url=https://www.libyanexpress.com/haftars-forces-lauch-attack-on-closed-mitiga-airport-in-libyas-capital/ |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Libyan Express |language=en-GB}}

Airstrikes on Misrata Airport by foreign warplanes, backed by the LNA, were reported on October 5.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-05 |title=Foreign drones of Haftar's forces strike Misrata Airport causing casualties, damage {{!}} The Libya Observer |url=https://libyaobserver.ly/news/foreign-drones-haftars-forces-strike-misrata-airport-causing-casualties-damage |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=libyaobserver.ly |language=en}} Additionally, attacks on the Equestrian School in Janzour, west of Tripoli, caused casualties among civilians, including children, and led to the destruction of military vehicles.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-26 |title=Libya: Children injured, horses killed in Haftar forces' airstrikes on Equestrian School {{!}} The Libya Observer |url=https://libyaobserver.ly/news/libya-children-injured-horses-killed-haftar-forces-airstrikes-equestrian-school |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=libyaobserver.ly |language=en}}

On December 14, heavy clashes occurred in Al-Tughar district in southern Tripoli, where Volcano of Anger Operation forces faced a significant offensive from Haftar's forces. Following intense fighting, the GNA forces, under the command of the Libyan Presidential Council, repelled the attack and seized control of the district.{{Cite web |last=ex_admin |date=2019-12-14 |title=Libya: "Zero Hour" of Haftar's forces caused UAE and Russia heavy damage |url=https://www.libyanexpress.com/libya-zero-hour-of-haftars-forces-caused-uae-and-russia-heavy-damage/ |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Libyan Express |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Rashed |first=Ahmed |date=2019-12-14 |title=Libya's Haftar Started 'Decisive Battle' for Tripoli |url=https://meo.tempurl.host/2019/12/14/libyas-haftar-started-decisive-battle-for-tripoli/ |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Middle East Observer |language=en-US}}

Notably, on May 4, 2020, GNA forces advanced against Haftar's militias around the Hamza military camp, destroying armed and armored vehicles. Airstrikes targeted an ammunition depot inside the Haftar airbase, resulting in casualties. The operation aimed to cut off Haftar's supply lines, and additional strikes hit oil tankers in the Al Qaryat region.{{Cite web |last=AA |first=DAILY SABAH WITH |date=2020-05-04 |title=Libyan army hits Haftar positions in airstrikes |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/libyan-army-hits-haftar-positions-in-airstrikes/news |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Daily Sabah |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Libyan Army retakes 2 camps from warlord Haftar |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/libyan-army-retakes-2-camps-from-warlord-haftar/1851647 |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=www.aa.com.tr}}

The next day, a new offensive was launched to capture Al-Watiya airbase, culminating in its capture on May 18, 2020.{{Cite web |date=2020-05-30 |title=قوات حكومة الوفاق الوطني الليبية تسيطر على قاعدة "الوطية" الجوية |url=https://www.france24.com/ar/20200518-%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9 |access-date=2024-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200530135538/https://www.france24.com/ar/20200518-%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9 |archive-date=2020-05-30 }} Following this success, the GNA forces expanded their control, capturing the towns of Badr and Tiji by May 19, 2020.{{Cite web |title=Libya: GNA recaptures towns near Tunisia border from Haftar |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/5/19/libya-gna-recaptures-towns-near-tunisia-border-from-haftar |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-06-04 |title=ليبيا.. الوفاق توسّع سيطرتها بالغرب وتطالب مجلس الأمن بلجم الإمارات وتتعهد بمقاضاتها دوليا |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/politics/2020/5/19/%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%91%D8%B9-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%B1%D8%A8 |access-date=2024-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604054823/https://www.aljazeera.net/news/politics/2020/5/19/%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%82-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%91%D8%B9-%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%B1%D8%A8 |archive-date=2020-06-04 }}

On May 25, the mayor of Bani Walid, said that Russian Wagner Group mercenaries allied to the LNA retreated from Western Libya to an unconfirmed destination along with their heavy equipment. After Antonov An-32 cargo planes landed at Bani Walid airport.{{Cite web |title=Hundreds more Russian mercenaries flee western Libya: GNA forces |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/5/25/hundreds-more-russian-mercenaries-flee-western-libya-gna-forces |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Russian fighters reportedly flown out of western Libya after Haftar retreat |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/russian-fighters-flown-out-western-libya-after-haftar-retreat |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}

On June 4, 2020, GNA forces launched an attack on Tripoli Airport,{{Cite web |title=Libyan army launches operation to recapture Tripoli airport |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/libyan-army-launches-operation-to-recapture-tripoli-airport/1863090 |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=www.aa.com.tr}} which they captured successfully.{{Cite web |last=Agency |first=Anadolu |date=2020-06-03 |title=Libyan gov't captures Tripoli Airport from Haftar forces |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/libyan-govt-captures-tripoli-airport-from-haftar-forces/news |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Daily Sabah |language=en-US}} The operation declared 100% control over all administrative borders of Tripoli, expelling the last remnants of Haftar's forces. This marked the end of the LNA's 14-month siege of the GNA capital{{Cite news |date=2020-06-04 |title=Libya conflict: GNA regains full control of Tripoli from Gen Haftar |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-52920373 |access-date=2024-02-20 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Libya's GNA says it regained full control of the capital, Tripoli |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/6/4/libyas-gna-says-it-regained-full-control-of-the-capital-tripoli |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}

On June 5, 2020, the GNA officially declared that they had full control over Tarhuna, having expelled the LNA-aligned militias from there.{{Cite web |last=Eye |first=Middle East |date=2020-06-11 |title=Libya: GNA says mass graves found in Tarhuna after Haftar's retreat |url=https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/2020/06/11/libya-gna-says-mass-graves-found-in-tarhuna-after-haftar-s-retreat |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=genocidewatch |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2020-06-05 |title="الوفاق" تدخل ترهونة شرق طرابلس.. ما أهمية السيطرة عليها - عنب بلدي |url=https://www.enabbaladi.net/archives/390702 |access-date=2024-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605204154/https://www.enabbaladi.net/archives/390702 |archive-date=2020-06-05 }}

The operation was successful in recapturing Tripoli, as well as many other cities and towns around it.{{Cite web |last=Lara |first=Marco Túlio |date=2020-06-05 |title=Libyan Civil War: Is That It for Haftar? |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/libyan-civil-war-it-haftar-161311 |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=The National Interest |language=en}}

The operation received very positive feedback by the Libyan population, with many eager to join the resistance.{{Cite web |title=ليبيا: عملية 'بركان الغضب' مؤلفة من ميليشيات غير متجانسة |url=https://www.afrigatenews.net/article/%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A7-%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%B6%D8%A8-%D9%85%D8%A4%D9%84%D9%81%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%BA%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%A9-1/ |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=www.afrigatenews.net |language=ar}} Celebrations erupted in the Martyrs' Square when the operation culminated in a success.{{Cite web |title=Libyans celebrate liberation of Tripoli from Haftar |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/libyans-celebrate-liberation-of-tripoli-from-haftar-/1866119 |access-date=2024-02-20 |website=www.aa.com.tr}}

{{Reflist}}

Category:Military operations of the Libyan civil war (2014–2020)