By Sami Zaptia.
London, 15 May 2018:
Derna Municipality has welcomed the dissolution of its city’s Mujahidine Shura Council (DMSC) and the formation of a new Derna Protection Force (DPF).
In a statement released Sunday, it referred to the city’s August 2016 Charter between the various components of the city in an effort at unification, improving life in the city and protecting it. The Municipality praised the DMSC for its stand against Daesh/IS and its continuing efforts to protect the city.
The Municipality praised the DMSC for joining the Derna Protection Force which it said was made up of ‘‘all’’ the strata of the city’s militia and civilians.
It is not clear if the DMSC, a coalition of Islamist forces, has indeed dissolved itself or has simply rebranded itself as the new DPF.
Meanwhile, the city is still besieged by the Khalifa Hafter-led Libyan National Army (LNA) forces and being subjected to air strikes. There is concern that civilians are suffering from the LNA siege and air strikes. Critics of Hafter say the bombing is being carried out with participation of Egypt and UAE.
As was the case with Benghazi over a number of years, the pro Hafter forces have been threatening to ‘‘liberate’’ Derna for a number of years now – without success.
