It is not immediately clear if they are using drones, as they this past week, or whether they’ve acquired new warplanes replacing the aging Russian fighters salvaged from Muammar Gadaffi’s airforce.

The airstrikes and rocket assault on Tripoli has escalated the death of civilians now approaching 300.

Rebel leader Khalifa Haftar, now endorsed by US President Donald Trump who has turned his back on the UN-backed government, believes he can control Tripoli, with the oil and financial reserves within days.

Libyan authorities have closed the small city airport, leaving Misrata 200 kms east of Tripoli has the only functioning facility.

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The fighting started when armed  residents and forces from Misrata stormed the arsenal being held by the militia.

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It is not known exactly what caused the explosion in Garabulli.

Speculation is the militia inside realised they were trapped and took a suicide option.

Tripoli has only lately fallen under control of the internationally supported interim government.

In addition to the 29 people killed,  dozens were wounded in the explosion.

Further along the coastline, which has been completely blocked by military action, 34 members of pro-government forces have died  in the fight against the Islamic State group besieging the center of their stronghold of Sirte – birthplace of former dictator Muammar Gadaffi.

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