ISDEI Instituto de Seguridad, Defensa y Estudios Internacionales

Click to see the full-size map On May 12, the Libyan National Army (LNA) reinforced its positions around the city of Derna in northeastern Libya deploying an infantry battalion near the western entrance of the city and in the valley of Kirissah west of it, according to Africa Gate News. The news agency also reported that heavy clashes had erupted between the LNA and members of the Shura Council of Mujahedeen in Derna (SCMD) in the al-Helah area, south of Derna. Following these clashes, the LNA artillery targeted several positions of the SCMD inside Derna. The LNA, led by Marshal Khalifa Haftar, launched  a military operation to capture Derna  from the SCMD on May 7. Since then, the LNA has captured several positions from the radical group east and southeast of the city. According to observers, the deployment of more troops around Derna indicates that the LNA is preparing to launch its main ground attack on the SCMD positions inside the city soon.

Written by  Peter Korzun ; Originally appeared on  strategic-culture.org In January, Russia hosted the Congress of Syrian National Dialog in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. It has been the most representative forum thus far to discuss the conflict in Syria. Moscow invited Beijing to take part in the event as an observer. The Russian government believes that China is too important to be denied a role in the process of bringing peace to that war-torn country. Post-war Syria is a scene of devastation. The creation of de-escalation zones has worked well to establish a cease-fire and a pause to catch one’s breath before the work of reconstruction begins. The Western powers are very unlikely to help rebuild Syria as long as Assad’s government, which is backed by Russia and Iran, remains in power. Legislation that has been dubbed the “No Assistance for Assad Act”  has passed  the US House of Representatives and has been read twice in the Senate. The bill seeks to channel US aid exclusivel