NOVANEWS
By Nureddin Sabir
Editor, Redress Information & Analysis
It has been long coming but Benghazi is at long last almost completely liberated from Islamic State, Al-Qaeda’s Libyan affiliate, Ansar al-Sharia, and other Islamist terrorists and cutthroats.
Today the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Brigadier-Geneal Khalifa Haftar, overran the terrorists’ positions in Sabri and nearby Suq al-Hout, close to the harbour.
This follows the LNA’s takeover in the past 48 hours of the districts of Buatni, Hawwari and Leithi, which means that practically all of Benghazi has been liberated from the jihadist cutthroats.
The jihadists are now holed up in three south-western suburbs of the city: Guwarsha, Garyunis and Gamhuda.
In Hawwari, the LNA seized the Rafallah al-Sahati camp,hich served as the Islamic State cutthroats’ operations centre, killing many terrorists. A number of prisoners who had been held in the camp for many months were freed.
The fall of Sabri and Suq al-Hout were broadcast this afternoon on Libya television.
“There is still a sense of disbelief in Benghazi at the extent of the army’s gains since the launch of its operation on Saturday [20 February],” the Libya Heraldnews website reported.
“The warm sunny day in the city is adding to the mood of euphoria with motorists driving around, honking horns and waving flags,” it added.
Below are photographs of the liberated Leithi district, taken by our special correspondent this morning.
Benghazi resident rejoices at the ouster of jihadist terrorists
Liberated: Hijaz Street Roundabout, in Leithi district of east Benghazi
Libyan army soldiers stand at the entrance of Sheherazade Hall, Old Leithi, east Benghazi, just after its liberation from jihadist cutthroats
Liberated: Leithi, east Benghazi
Liberated: Libyan army soldiers in Leithi, east Benghazi
Liberated: Leithi residents tasting freedom from the jihadist cutthroats
Liberated: The Leithi highway, closed for months, has now been reopened
Liberated: The Leithi highway, closed for months, has now been reopened
Leithi destruction: Two years of fighting have left their mark
One of the numerous houses destroyed by years of fighting with jihadist cutthroats
Hardly a building in Leithi has been left intact
