Clashes lead to several deaths as military escalation continues in Libya’s Derna

Over seven fighters were killed from Operation Dignity militias in eastern Libya as they clashes with the Derna Shura Council fighters in Heela and Dahar Al-Hamar front lines.

The spokesman for the council Mohammed Al-Masnouri told reporters that their fighters foiled the attack by forces of Khalifa Haftar’s self-styled army and killed seven fighters, leaving several wounded.

Meanwhile, Ahmed Al-Mismari, the spokesman for the Operation Dignity, said that their forces are preparing for advancing on Derna “to liberate it from the terrorist and Al-Qaeda fighters.”

Derna has been under an encirclement by Operation Dignity forces for over two years, with the siege tightening in last August disallowing the resident h needed services and basic foods and goods, as well as medicines.