The Libyan Nationam Army (LNA) has started a security operation to eliminate cells of al-Qaeda-linked terrorist groups, which still operate in Old City of Derna in the northeastern part of the country.
“On the morning of October 30, the military units of Omar Mukhtar’s operations room, under Brigadier Salem Rahil, moved towards the Old City to liberate and end the battle in Al-Maghar,” 73d Brigade spokesperson Al-Manzar Al-Khartoush told media. “437th infantry battalion also was engaged in the fighting in addition to 210th battalion, 124th company of the 106th Brigade and 276th infantry company of the 73rd infantry brigade as well as Al-Burkan forces.”
The area of Old City is about 200 km2. This is the only part of Derna, which is not under a full control of the LNA.
Earlier this year, the LNA retook Derna from a coalition of militant groups linked to al-Qaeda. However, the ssecurity situation in the city is still complicated.