At least 12 killed in east air strike

pulse

October 31, 2017 11:52 AM

Jihadists in the conflict-torn country have frequently accused Haftar's main international backers, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, of participating in deadly raids.

At least 12 people have been killed in an air strike in Libyas besieged eastern jihadist stronghold of Derna, a medical source said on Tuesday.

Most of the victims, including women and children, are from the same family, the source at the Harish hospital said, adding that three people were left critically wounded by the bombing conducted Monday evening.

It was not immediately clear who carried out the strike.

The attack has not been claimed by forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar, which have been besieging Derna for months and regularly conduct air strikes against the eastern city.

Derna, some 900 kilometres (560 miles) east of Tripoli, was known for being a bastion of jihadists even before the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi.

Haftar's forces are waging a campaign against jihadist groups, including efforts to capture the city from the "Revolutionary Shura Council of Derna", a coalition of militias close to Al-Qaeda.

Egypt in late May said it launched strikes in the region of Derna after a bloody attack on its soil claimed by the Islamic State group that left 29 people dead.

Controversial strongman Haftar supports an administration based in the country's east that has refused to recognise the UN-backed Government of National Accord based in Tripoli.

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