Islamic State (IS) fighters launched a surprise attack on a Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) position at Brega early this morning, reportedly killing three members. According to a PFG official, the attack on its Brigade No. 152 took place south of Brega. He could give no further details other than that a large number of IS fighters had come from Sirte and Nufaliya.In a statement, IS said that it had attacked a unit of the Libyan National Army (LNA) rather than the PFG – at the moment both regard each other with suspicion. The attack, the statement added, was in revenge for the air strikes by the LNA against it at Fataieh, south east of Derna.
It also claimed that it had captured a number of vehicles and weapons in the operation.
The most recent air strike against IS at Fataieh, however, was that carried out by the US on Friday night. Ten IS fighters were reported killed.
Sunday’s ground assault against Fataieh was carried out by Derna mujahideen. Like the PFG, they take no orders from the LNA and are regarded by it as renegades, although there have been previous LNA air strikes against Fataieh which appear to have been coordinated with mujahideen attacks.