Libya: Islamist Violence Rocks Derna

The September 21st skirmish between the Abu Slim Martyrs Brigade and the hard-line Shura Council of Islamic Youth killed fighters on both sides. Benghazi — Fresh clashes erupted between rival Islamist militias in Derna last week, leaving as many as 12 Libyans dead and four wounded.

The Shura Council, announced last April, made international headlines in August when it carried out a public execution on a Derna football pitch. The eastern Libyan port city has long been under the control of extremist militias, with militants concentrated in the mountains and valleys. In the past few days, Colonel Salwa Hindawi was also assassinated in front of her house by unknown assailants. She was the fourth woman killed in the city.

"Derna is under the control of several armed groups," al-Dernaoui added, "It seems that the conflict between the hard-liners, who are basically criminals hiding behind Islam, is about the desire to terminate the previous alliance and monopolise control of the city." 42-year-old Scouts leader from Derna, Iman Hindawi says "The situation became unbearable," "Daily assassinations and people are in fear. The media is silent and no one but Allah knows what is happening to them." "The government cannot do anything. Extremists control the city. My only hope is that the UN Security Council help get rid of the extremists who break into homes at night and terrorise people during the day," she told Magharebia.

Colonel Imsaed Mansouri fled from Derna to protect his family. "I fear for my daughters," he told Magharebia. "There are horrific stories that we heard about, so I came to Benghazi." "At least there is a Libyan army confronting terrorism, unlike Derna," he noted.