IMAN Chairman welcomes Libyan government push against Islamist fighters
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Libya: Army Advances in Benghazi
New York Times
The Libyan Army and its allies among local militias have taken control of one of the largest camps of Islamist forces in the eastern city of Benghazi, military officials said Friday. Gaining control of the camp, the first to be set up by the rebels who helped topple Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi in 2011, marked significant progress for the army after it previously took control of the Benghazi airport.
Last week, the army, working with fighters commanded by a former general, Khalifa Hifter, began an offensive against Islamist fighters who had seized parts of the city. More than 120 people have been killed since then, according to medics. Additional army units arrived in Benghazi this week from other parts of the country, creating a rare presence of pro-government forces in the city.
Libyan Army Pursues Benghazi Terror Remnants
ALL AFRICA
Clashes continued in Benghazi on Tuesday (October 28th) as Libyan troops battled pockets of terrorism.
Fighting was concentrated in the Ansar al-Sharia strongholds of al-Sabri, Ras Abeida and al-Laithi.
Operation Dignity spokesperson Mohamed al-Hijazi urged citizens to keep away from the clashes, lest the extremist fighters use them as human shields.
The air force targeted the Libyan Auto Club building in al-Sabri, which was used as a headquarters by the terrorists.
Residents of al-Sabri and al-Laithi had to evacuate out of fear for their lives, which are threatened by the militants in those areas.
Eyewitnesses from al-Sabri said that the terrorists removed ammunition and weapons on small trucks from the public market and the Libyan Auto Club buildings, just hours before the army targeted the area.
"Someone warned Ansar al-Sharia about an imminent army strike on the public market building in the area, and therefore, they removed the hidden weapons using about five trucks at 7:00 AM," said 48-year-old Mariam al-Sadek.
Social networking websites shared pictures of terrorists, including three Chadians, arrested by al-Sabri neighbourhood youths and army forces.
The air force hit an Ansar al-Sharia site in the area behind the Regency Hotel, which is still under construction.
Skirmishes also erupted in al-Laithi between local youths and terrorists amid a complete power cut.
"The army is doing quite well; it's only a matter of days and the army will win," said 35-year-old engineer Emad al-Fitouri. "General Haftar is very smart; he was able to bring Ansar al-Sharia fighters to the vicinity of the airport so planes can shell and destroy as many as possible of the heavy weapons and vehicles and preserve the army soldiers. Now Ansar al-Sharia only have half of al-Sabri, al-Laithi, Quarshah and Gamfuda."
Al-Fitouri added: "Haftar now controls 80%. There isn't much left of Ras Abeida. The international community must support the army in combating terrorism by supplying it with necessary arms and logistical support, freezing the assets of those who support terrorism and imposing sanctions on the countries that sponsor terrorism."
"Where are the wise men of al-Sabri to stand against terrorism?" asked Noha Belhassen, 28, a teacher. "This is a war on terrorism, not on al-Sabri residents, to clear the area of them."
"We've been asking for the army for a long time so we can now have safety and security back. People should be concerned about Benghazi as much as they are about al-Sabri. The army is capable of clearing the country of them, but the international community must stop those who support terrorism in Libya and we'll do the rest," Belhassen added.
For his part, 30-year-old Ibrahim Hassan commented that he was praying that those who supported the militants "against their own Muslim countrymen" would "come back to their senses".
"God will undoubtedly give victory to those who were done injustice, even if after a while, and those who supported those criminals with just a word should remember that the day will come when only their acts will benefit them," Hassan said.
Responding to the news, IMAN Chairman, Ribal Al-Assad said:
"I welcome these recent developments and am pleased to see that the Libyan government has managed to make such progress against Islamist fighters.
It is however important to not be complacent; Islamic extremism still poses a great threat to both Libya and the entire free world, with this in mind the international community must ensure that nations like Libya - who are currently in direct conflict with Islamists - have the resources and support they need to adequately combat the threat.
I continue to wish the Libyan government every success in its fight against Islamic extremism."
