The military operation the in eastern city of Derna has concluded, announced the national security directorate that supports the Libyan government in the east.
The Libyan National Army (LNA), which has been waging the operation against terrorists in the city, has yet to declare the official liberation of Derna.
Locals told Asharq Al-Awsat that the residents took to the streets of Derna Friday to celebrate the liberation.
The city was considered one of the remaining terrorist bastions in Libya.
Meanwhile, already tense relations between LNA commander Khalifa Haftar and Government of National Accord head Fayez al-Sarraj became even more strained with the latter accusing his forces of launching rockets at a civilian jet that was transferring wounded from the southern al-Feel oilfield to Tripoli.
He said that the LNA’s firing of warning shots at the plane was a terrorist act that is barred by international treaties and laws.
Sarraj claimed that the attack damaged al-Feel oilfield’s infrastructure, revealing that legal measures have been taken to counter the violation.
Unofficial information said that the plane was set to transfer Ali Kenna, who was appointed by Sarraj as military commander of Sabha, to Tripoli.
The LNA had started imposing on Friday a flight ban at all airports in southern Libya, explaining that the region was a closed military zone. Any flight would need the approval of the LNA.
Any flight that enters the southern airspace will be targeted, it warned.
