Siege of Derna

The Siege of Derna was a military campaign by the Libyan National Army (LNA) to capture the city of Derna, which began after the end of the Derna campaign (2014–16). After besieging the city for 21 months, the LNA attacked the city on 7 May 2018, starting the Battle of Derna (2018–19) and ultimately taking the city on 12 February 2019. The siege was criticized by the National Commission for Human Rights in Libya as a war crime,[7] as well as by the Government of National Accord.[8]

Siege of Derna
Part of Libyan Civil War (2014–present)
DateAugust 2016[1] – 12 February 2019
Location
Derna, Libya
Result Libyan National Army victory
Belligerents
House of Representatives Shura Council of Mujahideen in Derna
Supported by:
Misrata Brigades[2]		  ISIL (limited involvement)[3]
Commanders and leaders
Mohamed Fathi Al-Jamayel [3]
Casualties and losses
15 civilians killed, 17 civilians wounded[6]

Timeline

In August 2017, after the Mujihadeen Executed Air Colonel Adel Jehani, whose plane was shot down by the Mujihadeen, the head of the Omar Mukhtar Operations Room tasked with taking Derna, Brigadier Salem Rifadi, declared a total blockade of Derna. He was quoted as saying that no food, medicines, cooking gas, petrol or anything else would be allowed in.[4]

In October 2017, an air-strike hit Derna, killing at least 15 civilians and wounding 17 or more.[9]

In December 2017, ISIL Member Mohamed Fathi Al-Jamayel was executed by the Derna Shura Council after a failed attempt to kill senior member Moaz Tashani.[3]

In 2017 Marshal Khalifa Haftar was accused of war crimes in the recapture of Derna. It was alleged that Haftar had been complicit in calling for extrajudicial killings, arguing that Haftar had called on LNA fighters to take no prisoners, and saying in a speech: "Never mind consideration of bringing a prisoner here. There is no prison here. The field is the field, end of the story".[10][11]

On 7 May 2018, the Libyan National Army started an offensive on Derna, and by February 2019 had taken the city.

See also
  • Battle of Derna (disambiguation)

References
  1. "Haftar forces seize women in Libya's Derna in push for surrender". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  2. "Derna battle enters decisive stage, raising fears of civilian casualties | Michel Cousins | AW". Thearabweekly.com. 2015-06-13. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  3. "IS member shot dead in Derna |". Libyaherald.com. 2017-12-11. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  4. "UN says it is concerned about LNA siege of Derna |". Libyaherald.com. 2017-08-06. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  5. "Senior leader in Derna Shura Council killed by an ISIS landmine in Al-Heela". Libyanexpress.com. 2016-08-01. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  6. "East Libya air strikes kill at least 15". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  7. "National Human Rights Commission: Derna siege is war crime | The Libya Observer". www.libyaobserver.ly. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  8. "UN-backed Libya government condemns Haftar's siege of Derna – Middle East Monitor". Middleeastmonitor.com. 2017-08-07. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  9. Editorial, Reuters. "At least 15 killed in air strikes in east Libya -sources". AF. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
  10. Stephanie Kirchgaessner, Ruth Michaelson (25 September 2017). "General accused of war crimes courted by west in Libya". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  11. al-Shaeri, Ramzi (13 November 2018). "Libya's Haftar Brutally Strangled My City. He Should Not be Legitimized by the West". Newsweek. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
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