Libya Haftar says his forces to liberate Derna ‘soon’

Libyan Commander General Khalifa Haftar said his forces will retake the eastern city of Derna from extremists “soon”.

Haftar made the remarks in a televised speech broadcasted yesterday in which he discussed the battles between his forces which besieged the city four years ago, and the Derna Protection Force, formerly known as Shura Council of Mujahideen in Derna, a coalition of Islamist militias.

“We are close to announce the liberation of Derna and with that the liberation of our country from the last bastion of terrorism to complement and crown our armed forces’ struggles and sacrifices over four consecutive years of holy struggle,” he said.

He pointed out that the military confrontations in Derna came “after the armed groups rejected all peaceful solutions” noting that instructions were given to the troops not to harm the city’s residents or their property.

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