LIBYAN NATIONAL ARMY CAPTURES KEY AREA SOUTH OF DERNA (MAP)

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On May 27, the Libyan National Army (LNA) backed by warplanes of the UAE Air Force resumed its advance south of the northeastern city of Derna and captured the Tamiskit area from the Shura Council of Mujahedeen in Derna (SCMD), according to the Libyan outlet Africa Gate News.

Sources close to the LNA acknowledged that an IED planted by SCMD fighters had killed four soldiers of the LNA south of Derna, while two other soldiers had been injured during the clashes in Tamiskit area.

From its side, the pro-SCMD news outlet Derna Red Line (DRL) reported that SCMD fighters repelled an attack by the LNA on their positions in al-Fataih and al-Dahr areas east of Derna. Reportedly, SCMD fighters killed two soldiers of the LNA during the clashes.

The DRL also revealed that two fighters of the SCMD were killed in an airstrike on Derna, which was carried out by an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) of the UAE Air Force on May 26.

The LNA, backed by the UAE and Egypt, launched its offensive against the SCMD in Derna on May 7. Since then, the LNA had managed to capture several key positions east and south of the city, but failed to advance west of it. Due to this, observers believe that in the upcoming weeks the LNA will focus on developing its attack on the southern and eastern parts of Derna.

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