Tree trunks, concrete block Daesh return to Libya’s Derna

DERNA, Libya — Seven months after driving the Daesh terror group out of Libya's Derna, militia fighters have blocked roads into the coastal city with tree trunks and concrete blocks to prevent their return. 

Daesh took advantage of the chaos in Libya after the 2011 revolution to spread its influence in the oil-rich country, which has had two rival administrations since mid-2014.

That autumn, the group took control of Derna — a city regarded as an extremist stronghold on Libya's northern coast some 1,100km east of Tripoli — before being ousted last July.

Fighters of the Revolutionary Shura Council of Derna, a mix of militias including Islamists that now controls the city and was previously known as the Mujahedeen Shura Council, are boosting their defences to make sure Daesh does not return.

On Monday, six of its fighters died in clashes with Daesh militants to the southeast of the city.

To the city’s west, a tank has taken up position opposite a hill ready to fire at any Daesh advance.

On its eastern front line, the council’s fighters huddle behind sandbag walls while snipers are posted on tall buildings.

‘For God and the homeland’ 

“We decided to fight the group because of its crimes,” said one fighter. “We’re doing it for God and for the homeland.”

“We’re Libyan youths who don’t belong to any group or any movement. We’re fighting to end injustice.”

Inside the city, on the main square, Mohamed Al Mansouri, a spokesman for the council, spoke of life under Daesh.

Daesh “executed citizens on this square”, he said. “From exactly here, it sought to spread terror to impose its power.”

“But we kicked the group out,” he said.

Near the square, the building that housed a court under Daesh stands charred, after angry residents set it ablaze when the extremists fled.

The city’s police station and municipal council have since reopened.

“The group shut down the municipal council and threw us in jail,” said Mohammed Estita, head of the council.

“We’re now working with the Shura Council to secure the city and provide for the residents’ daily needs.”

‘God’s will’ 

Libya has had two rival authorities since mid-2014 when the recognised government was forced to quit Tripoli after a militia alliance including Islamists overran the capital.

The United Nations has been pushing both sides to back a unity government on the basis of a UN-brokered agreement struck in December.

The Fajr Libya militia alliance that backs the Tripoli administration has said it supports the Derna council, especially in its fight against Daesh

The army of the internationally recognised government, however, has led airstrikes on positions of the Derna council, whose members it views as extremists.

On February 7, a woman, her son and two fighters were killed in an air strike carried out by an unidentified warplane on a hospital in Derna.

But the Derna council rejects any links to extremist groups such as Ansar Al Sharia, an Al Qaeda affiliate that has a presence in the city as well as in Benghazi and Sabratha to the west.

Last June, Daesh seized the coastal city of Sirte, raising fears that it is establishing a new stronghold on Europe’s doorstep.

US warplanes attacked a Daesh training camp in Sabratha last week, killing 50 people.

In Derna, anti-Daesh graffiti covers the city’s walls.

On one wall, someone has crossed out the words “The Daesh is here to stay”.

“Only God’s will remain,” it now reads.