Nigeria and Allies Launch a Major Attack on Boko Haram

On Jan. 14, 2018, Boko Haram – an Islamist group from northeast Nigeria led by jihadist leader Abubakar Shekau – released a video depicting the remains of a Nigerian air force Mi-171 helicopter the group claimed it shot down.

The alleged shoot-down occurred amid an intensive new offensive targeting the group. On Jan. 8, Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon launched an operation aimed at two Boko Haram factions in the group’s Nigeria stronghold. The day the operation began, another Mi-17 crashed during a mission in northeast Nigeria.

Nigeria has battled Boko Haram since 2011. Cameroon, too, has fought the group for years. In mid-January 2015, the Chadian National Assembly approved Pres. Idris Déby’s request to deploy soldiers to support Cameroon.

Nigeria and Allies Launch a Major Attack on Boko Haram - Multiple aircraft losses reported amid intensive air support

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 9 - 20 July 2016

This period was characterized by the lost of one LNA AF Mi-17 from al-Abraq air base on 17th July killing three crew members (pilot Capt Omar Drissi, co-pilot Boubacar Omar al-Hassi and air engineer Fathi Warfali. The Sherkasi’s DBB (Defend Benghazi Brigades) Militia (also named Saraya Defend Benghazi or SDB) claimed to have down a Mi-35 'Hind' with a SA-7, but pictures of the wreckage published on the social media show clearly a Mi-17.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 25 June - 1 July 2016

Two events are worth noting this week. The first is a temporary ceasefire agreement between MSCD and LNA signed by General Haftar, Agila Saleh and facilitator Basit Igtet on 27th June. The second was the overflying of Benghazi by a unidentified MQ-9 Reaper armed drone on 29th.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 18 - 24 June 2016

No information was provided by GNA AF this week. Only two photos taken by BBC correspondent, Quentin Sommerville, currently in Sirte, showing one of the two MiG-23MLD and one S100 Camcopter belonging to GNA in the sky of the city.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 11 - 17 June 2016

Very little communication on air strikes this week from LNA AF and no information was provided by GNA AF. First footage of a new MiG-21MF (serial number '04') appeared on 11th June. This aircraft is probably one of the six ex-Egyptian MiG-21MFs arrived at Gamal Abdel Nasser airbase near Tobruk on 6th March 2016. First photo was taken at GANAB and second is extracted from a video taken at al-Albraq AB.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 4 - 10 June 2016

GNA forces offensive against ISIS in Sirte

GNA affiliated forces continued their offensive in Sirte last week capturing key points near the city. On 4th June, Misrata militia captured Al Gardabiya airbase. Shortly before, the GNA Air Force performed five successful airstrikes in Al Gardabiya, Abu Hadi and south of Sirte. Libyan fighter jets carried out five other strikes against concentrations of ISIS militants in the vicinity of runway 17. Another five strikes were made against militants fleeing from Al Gardabiya airbase, bringing the number of offensive sorties to ten.

Pictures of airstrikes from LDAF on ISIS positions west of Al-Gardabiya base, south of Sirte (approx 20 km)

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 21 - 27 May 2016

On 20th May 2016, in an interview for the French channel I-Tele, general Haftar, head of the Libyan National Army, asked the dismantling of the Government of National Accord (GNA) forces as a prerequisite for a possible rapprochement in the fight against the Islamic State group : "An army can not unite to militias. So these militias must be dismantled. It is unthinkable for us to work with these armed factions". He added : "We are not facing Daech for seize the oil. When we fought at Derna, there was no oil. When we fought in Benghazi, there was no oil either. A Adjabiya, it was the same, there was no oil. But actually in Libya, there are huge resources that the Libyan people will benefit after the return to calm."

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 30 April - 6 May 2016

This week, aerial operations were characterized by two majors events : the first flights of the two MiG-23BNs refurbished by engineers and mechanicians of the LNA (Libyan National Army) Air Force and the bombing by LD (Libya Dawn) Air Force MiG-23MLDs of LNA forces near Zillah.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 23 - 29 April 2016

Following the last situation update, many airstrikes were performed last week by the two Libyan Air Forces. Indeed, the week was characterized by greater communication from the LDAF (Libya Dawn Air Force) about its air strikes and one of its two Mirage F1EDs returned to service. LNA AF (Libyan National Army Air Force) also published new photos of the wreckage of the Mi-14 crashed at Labraq airbase.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 16 - 22 April 2016

This week began by the large communication (video and photos) made by the LNA AF about the refurbishing of the two MiG-23BNs (serial number "4136" and "8985") and ended with the lost of one Mi-14 helicopter.

"Libyan airstrikes" situation update 9 - 15 April 2016

During the past seven days, air operations have intensified compared to previous week. In the early morning hours of 9th April, Libyan National Army Air Force fighter jets carried out sorties with high accuracy on terrorist groups holed up inside the University of Benghazi and Nowruz resort. They also performed airstrikes in the vicinity of the cement plant and Souk El Hout.

Iraqi Army Aviation Mi-17 crashed in al-Kut city

On February 16th, Iraqi Army Aviation lost one of its Mi-17 in eastern area of al-Kut city. The helicopter was on the way from Shuaiba AB to al-Taji AB when he suffered technical problem killing nine militaries including the two pilots Captain Mohammed Qasim and Captain Mohammed Ghaeb. This Mi-17 belonged to the 85th Training Squadron which is used for advanced training flight before pilots moving to operational squadron.The 85th Squadron is equipped with Mi-17-V5 and Mi-17CT.

Video : TV documentary on Iraqi Army Aviation

This documentary about Iraqi Army Aviation was broadcast on Iraqi TV Saturday, August 15th, 2015 (Mi-28, Mi-35, Mi-17, Bell IA-407, Eurocopter EC-635, UH-1H)