By Libya Herald reporters.
Benghazi, 20 July 2015:
At least one arms smuggling vessel was apparently destroyed today in Mreisa harbour by a . . .[restrict]helicopter gunship as the army pressed on towards the small port, while shifting the thrust of its ground attack in the west of Benghazi away from Leithi and toward Buatni and Gwarsha.
In a day that has seen heavy firing from army batteries, including howitzers and Grad rockets, an army source claimed that a second vessel which, he said had been carrying arms and reinforcements from Misrata, had also been destroyed in Mreisa.
The Libyan Cement Company plant in Gwarsha was bombed and damaged. Air Force commander Saqr Geroushi said that the works were being used by Daesh as an operations room and ammunition store. The army is understood to be again be attacking Gwarsha, renewing a push led by 309 Brigade that fizzled out last month.
In Leithi, an army tank drove into Nubs Square, the scene of bitter fighting over the last the few days. The object was to see if Daesh had prepared an ambush but it is understood that the armoured vehicle was not fired on. It is not clear if ground forces then advanced to take the remainder of square. Last week, soldiers were injured by booby-traps left behind by retreating militants.
There are also reports that the army is preparing another push against Daesh fighters holding out in Alblad (Downtown) toward the Suq Al-Hood (fish market), Sabri and the area around the lighthouse.
Meanwhile Saiqa Special Forces investigator Fadl El-Hassi has said that two men have been detained on suspicion of spying for Daesh. A 42 year-old Libyan and a Chadian aged 23 were arrested in Birkah accused of sending information on army movements to the militants.
Hassi also denied reports that one of Saiqa’s bomb disposal experts, Tareq Al-Saiti, had been assassinated. Hassi said that Saiti had been involved in a car crash but was not seriously injured.
Late this evening there were reports that jet fighter circling to the west of the city. Benina airbase, from which it almost certainly took off, today got a new commander, Mohamed Mansur Ali Al-Mnifi. [/restrict]
