Good times!
BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) — Al-Qaida-linked militants in eastern Libya declared holy war on the local Islamic State affiliate after one of their senior leaders was killed Wednesday by masked gunmen, which set off clashes between the rival jihadi groups that left 11 people dead on both sides, including a top militant commander.
The hours-long fighting in the eastern coastal city of Darna erupted after gunmen opened fire on Nasser Akr, an al-Qaida-inspired militant once held in the United Kingdom on terrorism charges. The 55-year-old veteran jihadi, who fought in Afghanistan, was killed along with his aide.
Akr's group — known as Shura Council of Darna's Jihadis — announced his death in a statement Wednesday, blaming it on Islamic State militants. It accused the IS fighters of "tyranny and criminality," and vowed to wage "holy war against them until none of them are left." It also called on residents to rise up against the extremist group.
The ensuing clashes killed at least nine IS militants and two from the Shura Council, including Salem Derbi, the commander of the so-called Abu Salem Brigade, which has history of enmity with the IS affiliate.
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