Forces loyal to the renegade General Khalifa Haftar have tightened the noose around the eastern city of Derna, at a time the UN warns of a “devastating impact” on civilians. Haftar’s forces have encircled the city to oust a coalition of local fighters and Islamists known as the Derna Mujahideen Shura Council (DMSC). She deplored that humanitarian assistance was blocked from being delivered to civilians in Derna. Libya has remained riven by divisions between the Government of National Accord (GNA) and a rival administration backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar in the east. Libya’s oil revenues more than tripled in 2017 despite the violence and political instability – though they are still a fraction of crude sales under Gaddafi.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 27, 2018 00:00 UTC