Militants and terrorist organizations in Libya claimed on Monday that the Libyan National Army (LNA) killed six leaders of the dissolved Derna Mujahidin Shura Council.
Several Facebook pages that belong to such groups said the six men were slain during clashes between the LNA and the militants in Derna, eastern Libya.
However, the LNA has not issued any statement in this regard.
These claims came a few days after Derna Security Directorate declared Saturday that Derna was “entirely liberated” from armed groups and terrorists.
Since July 2017, Derna has been under military siege by the LNA. The fighting has intensified since mid-May 2018, when the LNA increased its presence and sought to expel the militants from the city.
During the period of May and June 2018, the city witnessed intense aerial bombardment and usage of heavy weapons, including artillery. The intensified fighting reached the city center.
Despite LNA declaring victory on 28 June 2018, the fighting continued inside the old city of Derna, as remaining of militants continue to control the old city center.
During the battle of Derna, the Mujahideen Shura Council, a local jihadist alliance formed by al-Qaeda-linked Abu Salim Martyrs Brigade, was dissolved on 28 June 2018 and replaced by the Derna Protection Force.
