Other 27 Sept 16

Sep 27, 2016 | Other Jihadi Actors

In Benghazi, intermittent clashes were ongoing between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and jihadists in the south-western districts of Ganfuda and Guwarsha throughout last week. Jihadists managed to target the outer perimeter of Benghazi’s Benina airport with mortars, but no damages were reported. According to the LNA, mines and snipers continue to be the main reason for the slow progress in the area. The media arm of the Ansar Al-Sharia-allied Benghazi Revolutionary Shura Council (BRSC) continues to publish material on what it calls ‘foreign drone strikes’ on various positions in these areas.

In Derna, the LNA air force continues to target positions of the Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council (DMSC). Airstrikes took place on 22 and 25 September against locations near the western gate of the city. More ISIS members from Derna were also reported dead in Sirte last week.

On 20 September, 8 civilians were killed in an air attack in Jufra, a town situated 300km south of Sirte. The LNA spokesperson claimed that the aircraft set off from the Misrata airbase, but Misrata’s airbase commander denied the reports. Local sources claim that the aircraft had actually departed from the Jufra airbase, currently held by more hard-line Islamist militias who are in alliance with the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB). BDB forces are currently based in Jufra.