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By Ayman Amzein.
Benghazi, 22 February 2016:
An Islamic State (IS) unit from Fataieh attempted to a new incursion into Derna this afternoon but was . . .[restrict]beaten back by the local Mujahideen forces. These were backed up by helicopter support from the Libyan National Army (LNA), despite the fact that the two are, officially, not cooperating.
Following the IS retreat, there were unconfirmed reports that a former Ansar Al-Sharia commander who had switched to IS but still living in the town, Tamim Kilfa, was killed when a bomb exploded in his car. It is not known if he was targeted or was transporting the bomb.
According to a source in the LNA’s Omar Mukhtar Security Room, the fighting started when a number of IS fighters in three trucks moved into the area known as District 400 at the far east end of the town and tried to take over the local Bayat Al-Radwan mosque. They also managed to penetrate as far as the Corniche area.
They were repelled in heavy fighting in which four of the Derna mujahideen were reported killed. A number of IS militants were also killed before they pulled out. Two are said to have been Libyans.
The Operations Room source claims that LNA helicopters took part in the fight, targeting IS in both District 400 and Fataieh. [/restrict]
