Derna Protection Force

The Derna Protection Force (DPF; Arabic: قوة حماية درنة),[6] also known as the Derna Security Force,[2] was a Libyan militia formed by Ateyah Al-Shaari on 11 May 2018, during the Libyan National Army's assault on Derna.[2]

Derna Protection Force
قوة حماية درنة
LeaderAteyah Al-Shaari
SpokesmanMohammed Al-Mansouri †[1]
Dates of operation11 May 2018[2] – 12 February 2019
Active regionsDerna, Libya
IdeologyIslamic extremism[3]
Size50–60 (HOR estimate, 14 June 2018)[4]
46 (12 February 2019)[5]
Opponents Libyan National Army
Battles and warsBattle of Derna (2018–19)

Despite losing control of Derna on 28 June 2018,[7][8] the Derna Protection Force survived the LNA assault. In July[9] and September[10] they clashed with the LNA. Despite these clashes, it had been commented in October 2018 that after "losing fighters, leadership and control of the city", the DPF had effectively "ceased to exist as an organization".[11]

On 12 February 2019, the 46 remaining DPF fighters surrendered to the LNA, ending the DPF's existence.[5]

The LNA blamed 2 improvised explosive devices attacks in Derna on 2 June 2019 on the DPF, despite the group being defunct. On the following day, the attack was claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.[12]

References
  1. "Haftar's forces say seized Libya's Derna as they mutilate opponents' dead bodies | The Libya Observer". www.libyaobserver.ly. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
  2. "Derna Shura Council dissolves into Derna Security Force | The Libya Observer". www.libyaobserver.ly. Archived from the original on 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
  3. "Libyan National Army accused of war crimes in Derna (warning: graphic content)". NEWSREP. 2019-02-20. Retrieved 2019-03-28. The DPF has historically provided safe havens for Islamist terrorists in the country and has even had several as members in its ranks.
  4. Editorial, Reuters. "Forces under Libya's Haftar say they're close to taking final..." AF. Archived from the original on 2018-06-15. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
  5. libyaanalysis (2019-02-13). "Eye On Jihadis in Libya Weekly Update: February 12". Retrieved 2019-03-28.
  6. "Derna Protection Force retreats from Al-Fatayeh under heavy shelling and airstrikes | The Libya Observer". www.libyaobserver.ly. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
  7. "Libyan Army gains control over Al-Maghar in Derna (video) Libyan Army gains control over Al-Maghar in Derna". AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز. 2018-06-28. Archived from the original on 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
  8. al-Warfalli, Ayman. "Haftar's forces say they have captured Libyan city of Derna". U.S. Archived from the original on 2018-06-29. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
  9. "Eastern government appoints new non-elected mayor for Derna | The Libya Observer". www.libyaobserver.ly. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
  10. "Forces of Libya's east-based warlord bombard Derna | The Libya Observer". www.libyaobserver.ly. Archived from the original on 2018-10-02. Retrieved 2018-10-18.
  11. Truitte, Kevin. "The Derna Mujahideen Shura Council: A Revolutionary Islamist Coalition in Libya" (PDF). www.universiteitleiden.nl. Retrieved 2019-01-15.
  12. "Remain, Expand, Attract: The Paradigmatic Experience of the Islamic State in Libya". Jamestown. 9 August 2019. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
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