By Ayman Amzein.
Benghazi, 9 July 2016:
A number of sites in Derna were targeted today by Mil Mi-17 helicopter gunships belonging to the Libyan National Army.
The attacks started around sunrise this morning. There were four in all, reportedly hitting targets in the town centre: the port, the court building, an apartment block and buildings formerly used by a Turkish company. According to the LNA claim they were being used by the Derna Mujahideen Shoura Council, the Islamist militia alliance that has controlled the town for the past year, having expelled forces from the so-called Islamic State.
It is reported that one person died and 11 others, all of them civilians, were injured.
There is no independent confirmation of casualties and the LNA insisted there were none, although it is not exactly in a position to know. It is known, however, that the court building and the port have been in the hands of the mujahideen for the past year. But there are residential areas nearby.
The attacks follow a supposed two-week ceasefire although the LNA has said it never agreed to any such agreement.
