By Libya Herald reporter.
Tripoli, 29 June 2015:
Heavy clashes outside Derna between Libyan National Army forces and those of the Shoura Council . . .[restrict]of Mujahideen in Derna (SCMD) continued throughout day today, Monday, with the death toll rising.
At least 21 members of the LNA have been confirmed dead in the fighting so far, which started yesterday when LNA forces moved forwards to Ain Mara, 25 kilometres west of Derna, and were then attacked by SCMD fighters. In the initial fighting 15 members of the LNA were reported killed, but that later rose to 16 with a further six soldiers’ bodies found today by the Red Crescent and taken to the hospital in Guba.
Today’s fighting in the area is reported to have resulted in ten more LNA soldier being killed. According to reports, an army convoy heading was ambushed by the SCMD as it headed towards Derna.
SCMD casualties have been put at eight and are said to include one of their commanders, Hassan Al-Mansouri. However, the figure is thought to be higher.
Many of those killed on the LNA’s side are part of a local Ain Mara brigade supplied and funded by the LNA. SCMD has put out a statement demanding Ain Mara residents stop fighting for the LNA and switch sides. [/restrict]
