Libyan army renew calls for Derna terrorists to turn themselves in

CAIRO - 25 May 2018: The Libyan National Army (LNA) has repeated its calls for terrorist groups in Derna city to turn themselves in, promising them a “fair trial,” unlike those who will be arrested in possession of weapons and resisting forces.

In a press release on Friday, the Karama Operations Room, a subset of the LNA, assured that families of the terrorist will not be punished for their sons’ crimes.

In the same context, the LNA forces announced that they discovered a tunnel used by terrorists in south Derna during military crackdowns and operations.

Last week, General Commander of Libyan National Army (LNA), Khalifa Haftar, stated that Derna will be declared terrorism-free soon, calling on soldiers to purge the city from terrorism, while keeping in consideration the safety of civilians.

In a televised speech aired earlier Wednesday, Haftar stressed that the army’s aim is to uproot terrorism, after terrorists had turned down all endeavors to avoid armed confrontation.

Haftar directed the army to take into consideration the safety of Derna’s residents and their properties, except for those who carry arms and fight against the Libyan people.
LNA engaged in fierce clashes around the city of Derna on Tuesday; two soldiers were killed in a car bomb and another was abducted from a checkpoint.

Derna is controlled by a coalition of Islamist militants and rebel veterans known as the Derna Mujahideen Shura Council (DMSC).

The LNA, which has been trying to consolidate its grip on eastern Libya after taking Benghazi last year, has encircled Derna and launched occasional air raids over the city.

Contributed by Reuters