By Libya Herald reporters.
Tunis and Tripoli, 21 July 2015:
The Libyan Air Force has been attacking positions around Derna and also laumching . . .[restrict]precision strikes against targets within the town itself.
Though nominally cleared of terrorists last month by fighters from the local Shura Council, it is understood that some “sleeper cells” have remained. It is the locations in which these militants have hung on which have been subjected to air attacks over the last three days.
There have also been strikes at Daesh positions on the outskirts of the town in the Fatiyah area, which have also involved helicopter gunships.
Derna residents have told the Libya Herald that these airstrikes have been markedly different from past air force attacks. Not only are the bombs seemingly more powerful and devastating, but though they are being dropped from warplanes flying far higher than usual, they appear to be landing accurately on their targets.
This suggests that the bombs are laser-guided, which would mean a second targeting source either airborne or on the ground. Ten days ago a similar change in airforce bombing was noted in the Leithi district of Benghazi.
The aircraft attacking Derna are understood to have taken off from Tobruk. There are unconfirmed reports that the air force has received new warplanes as well as up to one hundred pilots who have been trained abroad. [/restrict]
