2 May – 8 May: LNA begin campaign for ‘liberation’ of Derna while they hold military parade in Benghazi

May 8, 2018 | Libyan actors

On 7 May, Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar announced that ‘peace efforts’ with the jihadist Derna Mujahadeen Shura Council (DMSC), which controls Derna, had failed and that the ‘zero hour’ for the ‘liberation’ of Derna had begun. The LNA has claimed that it has made advancements on all fronts towards Derna, with the 101 Battalion capturing the Derna Flour Factory, south-east of the city. The LNA also claimed to have captured the whole of the al-Fattaih area.  However, on the same day, the DMSC claimed that they repelled advances by the LNA from al-Fattaih and released photos of a seized Hummer H1 Soft Top following clashes.

On 7 May, 7,000 LNA officers conducted a military parade for the 4th anniversary of “Operation Dignity” at Benghazi’s Benina airbase. Chief Commander of the LNA Khalifa Haftar was in attendance amongst other senior LNA figures.