LNA Arrests 7 Qaeda Members in Sophisticated Operation

Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari. (AFP)
Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari. (AFP)
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LNA Arrests 7 Qaeda Members in Sophisticated Operation

Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari. (AFP)
Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari. (AFP)

The Libyan National Army (LNA), commanded by Khalifa Haftar, dealt a heavy blow to the al-Qaeda terrorist group by arresting seven of its members in southern Libya.

LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari announced that the military had carried out a sophisticated operation against an al-Qaeda position in the southwestern region of Awbari, detaining seven of its members‎.

The detainees hail from different countries and include Hassan and Omar al-Washi. The LNA also seized large amounts of weapons and ammunition, as well as “dangerous documents”.

Mismari said the operation was part of efforts aimed at cracking down on terrorist cells in the country.

Separately, an LNA official revealed that Turkey had in recent days set up an air bridge aimed at transferring military equipment and fighter jets to support the Government of National Accord (GNA) in western Libya.

The development took place in spite of the agreements that were reached by the joint military committee (5+5) and that call for an end to the military cooperation between Ankara and the GNA.

The Turkish Defense Ministry also released photos of a military training undertaken by the GNA forces and overseen by Turkish officers.



Death Toll in Damascus Church Attack Rises to 25

People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
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Death Toll in Damascus Church Attack Rises to 25

People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)
People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dweila area on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Bakr ALKASEM / AFP)

The death toll from a suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Damascus on Sunday has risen to 25, Syria's state news agency SANA reported on Monday citing the country's health ministry.

It was the first suicide bombing in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad was toppled by opposition factions in December.

On Sunday, a suicide bomber in Syria opened fire then detonated an explosive vest inside a Greek Orthodox church filled with people praying, killing and wounding many.

The attack took place in Dweila on the outskirts of Damascus inside the Mar Elias Church, according to state media SANA.

A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up.