Zeytouna Ambush

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Al-Zeytouna Ambush
Part of Libyan civil war (2014-2020)
Date 2 June 2020 Location Asbi'a, Libya Result Decisive GNA victory
Belligerents
House of Representatives	Government of National Accord
Commanders and leaders
Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar (LNA supreme commander)	Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj (head of Presidential Council)
Strength
48 fighters Various vehicles	23 fighters
Casualties and losses
4 vehicles destroyed 48 killed	None

The Al-Zeytouna ambush (Arabic: كمين الزيتونه) was an attack perpetrated by forces loyal to the Government of National Accord against Khalifa Hafters forces. It occurred in Asbi'a (located 40km south of Tripoli) during the final stages of the Western Libya campaign

After Khalifa Hafter initiated his siege on Tripoli, forces loyal to the Government of National Accord launched a resistance military campaign dubbed Operation Volcano of Rage.^[1] After many huge successes in expelling Hafter’s troops and taking back control over lost territory, some regions located south of Tripoli needed to be liberated in order to claim victory in Volcano of Rage and a full exodus of the LNA from Western Libya.^[2]

GNA forces organized their military equipment in abandoned buildings located in the Asbi'a town, with snipers set up on top of buildings. GNA forces had taken control over the district a couple days before. LNA forces then attempted to re-enter Tripoli through this militarized district which ended up being a huge mistake for them.^[3]

GNA forces then proceeded to viciously attack the convoy, killing off most of the troops and destroying the vehicles.^[4] Videos that were taken of the ambush showcase the vehicles crashing, getting destroyed, and troops being launched into the air.^[5][6] Survivors of the initial attack hid behind olive trees, attempting to survive the ambush. However, the snipers that were set up in the buildings discovered their hiding spot and killed them instantly, "He's right there! Behind the Olive Tree!" said one of the men.^[7] This is what gave it the name "Al-Zeytouna Ambush", which means "Olive Ambush".^[8]

Dozens of vehicles were destroyed, with many Toyotas and tanks being absolutely demolished and beyond recognition in the attack. Colonel Mohammed Gnounou, head of Volcano of Rage Media and Operations room, announced a massive victory in the ambush, confirming that around 48 LNA bodies were discovered at the site of the ambush. The remnants of Hafter's forces were then entirely expelled from the region.^[9]