# LNA loses al-Watiya airbase, several Pantsir-S1 systems destroyed

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2020/05/lna-loses-al-watiya-airbase-several-pantsir-s1-systems-destroyed/
- Published: 2020-05-19T10:01:56+01:00
- Author: Kazim Abdul

Forces of the Government of National Accord (GNA) recently captured al-Watiya air
Base, on Monday 18, after a fierce battle. The Turkish-backed group scored a significant
hit when they retrieved several military hardware from the base.

Al-Watiya airbase is located in the northwest of Libya’s Yafren province, 140 km
from Tripoli, with an estimated capacity of 7,000 to 10,000 troops. It plays an 
important role in controlling northwestern areas of Libya, and the GNA forces, backed
by Turkey, have been trying since May 5 to seize this strategic axis from the Libyan
National Army.

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![](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/watiya-pantsir-s-1-768x556-1.jpg)

al-Watiya plays an important role in controlling northwestern areas of Libya.

Following the seizure of al-Watiya from the LNA, several weapons were captured including
a UAE-supplief Pantsir-S1 low-level air defense system. This particular system have
been the target of several drone target, first on May 16, a GNA [Bayraktar TB2 combat drone](https://www.military.africa/2020/05/lna-loses-al-watiya-airbase-several-pantsir-s1-systems-destroyed/military.africa/2019/06/libya-turkish-made-bayraktar-tb2-uav-seen-at-the-gna-held-airbase)
targetted the system when it arrived al-Watiya, the Pantsir-S1 system was struck
with a missile when it was being driven into a hardened shelter.

The May 16 drone strike was carried out with the intention of neutralising the air
defense system before it could become operational. However, the missile likely missed,
hitting a nearby armed pick up truck instead. Thus, the Pantsir-S1 system suffered
only slight damage, it was subsequently captured just two days later when the forces
of the GNA seized al-Watiya airbase.

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![](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/EYTZiXeXYAEDoiU.jpg)

The captured Pantsir-S1 air defense system. Note the slight damage it sustained.

The Pantsir-S1 system is now being paraded as a war trophy and has since been paraded
to more secured location behind the Frontline.

![](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/EYXacVbWkAA5Guq.jpg)

The captured Pantsir-S1 air defense system being moved to a new location

The Pantsir-S1, known to NATO as the SA-22 Greyhound, combines both guns and missiles.
Being a low-level air defense system, it can defend battalion-size troops formations
from enemy cruise missiles, drones and close air supports aircraft and helicopter
attacks.

So far, [the United Arab Emirates has supply several Pantsir-S1 systems to the LNA ](https://www.military.africa/2020/05/lna-loses-al-watiya-airbase-several-pantsir-s1-systems-destroyed/military.africa/2019/06/libya-uae-supplies-pantsir-s1-air-defence-systems-to-lna)
over the past two years, the first was publicly displayed in June 2018, they are
mounted on the German built Man-SX 8×8 trucks which are unique to the UAE stock.

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The Pantsir-S1 systems alongside several[ Chinese-made portable counter-drone](https://www.military.africa/2020/05/lna-loses-al-watiya-airbase-several-pantsir-s1-systems-destroyed/military.africa/2020/04/libya-lna-deploys-new-portable-counter-drone-weapon)
system may have accounted for many of the [Turkish built Bayraktar TB2 drones which have been downed in the country.](https://www.military.africa/2020/05/lna-loses-al-watiya-airbase-several-pantsir-s1-systems-destroyed/military.africa/2020/02/libya-lna-shoots-down-gna-tb2-bayraktar-uav)

The seizure of al-Watiyah also netted an array of former Libyan Air force aircraft
and helicopters including derelict Mirage F-1 fighters and vintage Mi-24 Hind attack
helicopters.

![](military.africa/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/EYXN05uWsAIAd3y.jpg)

A captured derelict Sukhoi Su-22 ground attack aircraft

Till now, the Pantsir-S1 systems are still being targeted in Libya, In another drone
strike video which emerged today, Turkish-backed forces appear to hit another near
the city of Sirte. This is around 300 miles from al-Watiyah airbase. It is seen 
being targeted as it is moved on lowboy trailer, when it appears at its most vulnerable.

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