Suicide Bombers Attack Khalifa Haftar In Libya

Two Suicide Bombers  Attack Libyan Stongman And Jihad Warrist, Khalifa Haftar

Two suicide bombers today have attacked forces loyal to Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar a leader  of an offensive against jihadists in an eastern town.

The spokesperson for his forces said explosions were heard across Derna as the bombers hit the Chiha district in the south of the town, spokesman Khalifa al-Abidi said.

Abidi  who refused to give the specific outcome of the attacks said civilians were among the casualties as the roof of a family home collapsed.

The spokesperson recalled that on Monday night, another suicide attack killed two fighters of Haftar’s Libyan National Army,LNA  and wounded three.

Punch reports that for the past one month, the self-styled LNA has been warring offensive to take Derna, the only eastern town outside Haftar’s control.

Derna is held by a ragtag alliance of Islamist and jihadist militias, including groups close to Al-Qaeda, hostile to both Haftar and the Islamic State group.

The coastal town is located more than 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) east of the capital Tripoli and around 300 kilometres east of second city Benghazi.

Abidi said the LNA is “advancing steadily to liberate a very small remaining pocket before liberating the whole of Derna.”

He said “terrorists” were “resorting to suicide attacks after they failed to tackle” the LNA conventionally.

The strongman’s critics claim he wants to establish a military dictatorship.