Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant occupation of Derna

In October 2014, the self-declared Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) took control of numerous government buildings, security vehicles, and local landmarks in the Eastern Libyan coastal city of Derna. The control is not absolute, as rival groups like the Abu Salim Martyrs Brigade continue to have a major role in the city.

Background
The city of Derna has been considered the most pious Muslim city in Libya and has a long history of Islamist radicalism. In 2007, American troops in Iraq uncovered a list of foreign fighters for the Iraqi insurgency, and of the 112 Libyans on the list, 52 had come from Derna. Derna contributed more foreign fighters per capita to al-Qaeda in Iraq than any other city in the Middle East ,and the city has also been a major source of fighters in the Syrian Civil War and escalation of the Iraqi insurgency, with 800 fighters from Derna joining ISIL.

ISIL takeover of Derna
On 5 October 2014, the ISIL-linked militant factions came together and pledged allegiance to ISIL. After the pledging ceremony, more than 60 pickup trucks filled with fighters cruised through the city in a victory parade. A second more formal gathering took place on 30 October, where militants gathered to pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in the city square, where a handmade bomb was detonated.

Libyan airstrikes and planned assault
On 12 November 2014, Libyan Air Force fighter jets carried out airstrikes in Derna, possibly in retaliation for the car bombs which exploded in Benghazi, Tobruk, and the Labraq Airport. Six ISIL militants were killed and 20 militants were wounded. According to Human Rights Watch, some residents have fled the city in advance of an announced Libyan Armed Forces assault on Derna. Approval for a Libyan Army ground assault on Derna was given on December 6, 2014, and army units moved within a few kilometers of Derna, retaking control of villages and roads leading to the city.

Egyptian military actions
On 15 February 2015, the Islamic State in Libya released a video depicting the beheading of 21 Coptic Christians from Egypt. Within hours, the Egyptian Air Force responded with airstrikes against IS training locations and weapons stockpiles, killing 50 militants in Derna. Warplanes acting under orders from the "official" Libyan government also struck targets in Derna, reportedly in coordination with Egypt's airstrikes. A Libyan official stated that more joint airstrikes would follow.

US surveillance
Concern over ISIL activities in Derna in December 2014 led to US drones and electronic surveillance planes making "constant flights" from Italian bases, over the district of Derna.

Libyan offensive
On 25 March, the Tobruk-based government launched an offensive on the city of Derna, to expel ISIL and other militant groups from the city.