Libyan government forces shot down Mi-35 helicopter for warlord Haftar’s armed groups in Abu Grein town, 138 km west of Sirte. Three pilots were killed.
Libya’s Army spokesman Mohammed Gununu confirms shooting down two drones and one helicopter (Mi-35) for Haftar’s militias and killing all crew on board in Sunday clashes in Abu Grein
Here are the pictures of crew members of Haftar LNA Mi-35 helicopter which downed at Abu Gruin. Helicopter crews killed:
Pilot Lieutenant Colonel Sanusi Ad Darisi, Co Pilot Lieutenant Adil Az Zawi, and Jum’ah Al Abidi Technicians.
Some Report suggest Helicopter Was flying low, Manpads Used.
Fighting has in recent days intensified near Libya’s capital, which is the seat of the country’s internationally-recognized government. Tripoli receives backing mainly from Turkey.
Since April last year, rebel forces under Haftar’s command have been fighting in an offensive to capture Tripoli and unseat the government. They have remained bogged down on the city’s outskirts despite receiving support from the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
On March 21, Haftar claimed full adherence to a humanitarian truce that focused on efforts to combat the coronavirus outbreak in the African country, but his forces continued violating the ceasefire and bombing various locations in the capital.
The breach compelled the Libyan government to launch an operation on March 25 to push the rebels back.
Reports said last week that government forces had downed three Sukhoi fighter jets operated by the rebels.
Libya plunged into chaos in 2011, when a popular uprising and a NATO intervention led to the ouster of long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
Since 2014, two rival seats of power have emerged in the North African country — the United Nations (UN)-recognized government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj in Tripoli, and another group based in the eastern city of Tobruk, supported militarily by Haftar’s rebels.
