Libyan army successes in Benghazi disputed
Libyan government forces launched a renewed campaign to take back territory from ISIS and Ansar Al-Sharia in Benghazi almost two weeks ago. To date there has been a lot of noise but few signs of success until yesterday, when the Libyan Herald reported on apparent gains in the Leithi district of the city. Pro-government forces were also said to have recaptured a naval base some 18km west of Tripoli: a claim which is dismissed by local residents, and highlights the issues around verifying any news from Libya.

By Libya Herald reporters.

Benghazi, 29 September 2015:

The army appears to have made progress today in Benghazi’s Leithi district for the first . . .[restrict]time in two months.

The air assault, which in recent days has focused on IS and Ansar Al-Sharia fighters in Sabri, shifted last night to Leithi and continued for much of today. Both helicopters and jets were used in the airstrikes. The advance by army units was led by at least one armoured personnel carrier.

There are, as yet, no details of casualties in Leithi though a soldier was killed this morning by a single shell that landed in Buatni. [/restrict]