Tripoli, Nov 17 (IANS): The eastern-based army of Libya announced launching intensive airstrikes on the forces of the UN-backed government around the capital Tripoli.

"The armed forces launched a number of land and air military missions on positions and sites of the forces of the Government of National Accord around the capital. The airstrikes destroyed military vehicles and three trucks loaded with ammunition," the eastern-based army's information office said in a statement released on Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The statement said the airstrikes targeted positions of the UN-backed government in eastern and southern Tripoli and took over large areas in southern Tripoli.

The statement revealed no details about casualties.

For more than seven months, the eastern-based army has been leading a military campaign in and around Tripoli trying to take over the city and topple the UN-backed government.

Thousands have been killed and injured in the armed conflict, and hundreds of thousands of civilians were displaced away from their homes.

Despite international condemnations and calls for immediate cease-fire, the violence continues to claim civilian lives and destroy public and private property.