IS-affiliate Egyptian terrorist arrested in Libya

CAIRO – 10 June 2018: Libyan National Army (LNP) forces arrested on Saturday an Egyptian terrorist affiliated with Islamic State (IS) in the western Sheha areas of Derna, east of Libya.

The above-mentioned terrorist was captured during the army’s combing operations launched after the army has entirely controlled the Sheha area.

Khalifa al-Obeidi, head of the military information division of the Libyan Armed Forces stressed that the army progresses towards the eastern Sheha areas of Derna, adding that the Libyan Armed Forces have found large quantities of weapons and live ammunition during their military sweeps.

A terrorist blew himself up in the ranks of the Libyan Army Forces in the field of Sahaba in Derna, which led to his death and the occurrence of material damage only in the place.

The General Command of the Libyan National Army (LNA) announced Thursday that its military forces are moving steadily towards liberating the port city of Derna from Islamic militias, asserting that the Libyan troops have already controlled more than 75 percent of the city.

“The LNA advanced towards the enemy's bases in Derna imposing harsh blockade on the terrorist groups,” Khalifa al-Obeidi, head of the LNA’s media office, said in a press release of which Egypt Today obtained a copy.

The advance followed heavy shelling and air strikes in recent weeks by the LNA in preparation for a ground campaign in Derna.

On Monday, LNA forces entered Derna from both the eastern and western coastal roads and took control of the Sheha and Bab Tobruk districts, advancing within one kilometer of the port, one of the operation’s commanders, Salem al-Rafadi, told Reuters.

Photos shared by a resident appeared to show soldiers and military vehicles advancing along largely deserted streets.

The LNA has long encircled the city of 125,000, the last in eastern Libya to elude its control. It was held by the Derna Protection Forces, formerly known as the Derna Mujahideen Shura Council, a coalition of Islamists and other anti-Haftar combatants.

General Commander of LNA, Khalifa Haftar, previously 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, 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.

“After four years of holy struggle against the Kharijites, we are close to the liberation of Derna," Field Marshal Haftar said, warning his soldiers from terrorists’ ambushes.