The Libyan National Army revealed on Monday that it would soon advance on the southern city of Sabha to liberate it from terrorist clutches, while also releasing footage of seized militia weapons believed to be provided by an Arab Gulf country accused of supporting terror groups.
The large quantities of ammunition and explosives were seized at the residence of Shura Council of Mujahideen in Derna militia leader Atiya al-Shaeri in the eastern city of Derna.
The forces of LNA chief Khalifa Haftar said their campaign against terrorists in Derna has reached its final stages after several days of heavy fighting.
LNA Special Forces spokesman Miloud al-Zawi said the forces will then march on Sabha.
In Derna, Zawi said that the al-Sahaba Mosque and both the city’s port and coastal road have been fully liberated and extremists are being cornered into a tight area besieged by the LNA.
Meanwhile, Major General Abdulsalam al-Hassi called upon all Derna residents who fled their homes during military operations to return after the city was secured by the LNA.
He said the LNA now controls most of the Derna's suburbs, but pointed to “remaining small terror pockets."
The military victory is near, he added, while calling on government circles to return to liberated areas in Derna in order to restore stability to the people.
Meanwhile, the General Directorate for Combating Terrorism officer Sami al-Mitirah uploaded a video on Facebook showing extremists in Derna training three children on the use of mortars.
Separately, head of the Investigation Bureau of the Libyan Tripoli-based Attorney General Al-Siddiq al-Sour said that the Justice Ministry ordered the temporary release of some imprisoned former members of late leader Moammar al-Gaddafi’s regime.
They will be released for health reasons, he explained. The detainees set for release include officers from the former regime’s intelligence service.
