Thread by @jenanmoussa

As world focused on ISIS in Raqqa& Mosul, another city was destroyed: Benghazi.

After ISIS &AlQaeda took city in 2014, Libyan army fought extremists &defeated them end 2017.

Price of victory high.

Our drone footage shows what's left of center Benghazi

2/ I have to tell you that when I recently arrived in Benghazi, I was really shocked by the destruction of the city.

Much worse than I thought it was.

As you can see in our drone video, center is fully destroyed during fighting between extremists & army.

Very painful to see.

3/ I had tears in my eyes seeing Benghazi like this. I can't even start to explain to you how the people feel.

This is for example the now destroyed court building.

This was the center of 2011 uprising against Ghadaffi. It was blown up by Al-Qaeda group Ansar al Sharia.

4/ As for the people of Benghazi, the war has changed them. They feel tired, disappointed, betrayed, left alone, many even regretful...

However, they stay the kindest and the most generous.

@akhbar

5/ Fight against ISIS/Al-Qaeda had heavy toll.

Many lost family members. Many injured. Lost limbs.

This is a young man we saw in the center of Benghazi.

@HaraldDoornbos photo.

6/ This is the al-Wahat hotel where I used to stay in Bengahzi in 2011.

Also gone.

Many journalists will recognize it.

@akhbar

7/ When West refers to Benghazi it's mostly in relation to U.S. consulate attack in 2012.

But Benghazi is actually a real place with real people. They just came out of a bloody fight against ISIS/Qaeda.

City in ruins, mines everywhere, no money, no reconstruction, no int aid.

8/ As our drone footage shows, most Benghazi destruction not because of air strikes (like Raqqa or Mosul).

Anti-ISIS/Qaeda forces in E-Libya didn't get support from West. They had to go street by street, house by house. Millions of bullet holes.

@akhbar

9/ Let me just take a second and thank @HaraldDoornbos for his amazing drone work.

Also all the people on the ground who gave us permission to film this.

10/ Amid rubble of Benghazi, I found some families living there.

This family for example lives in this half destroyed house. They fixed one room.

3 of their sons lost their lives while fighting on side of army against ISIS/Al-Qaeda. Kids now raised by grandparents.

@akhbar

11/ Extra problem in Benghazi is that rubble is filled with booby traps left by extremists.

Local authorities don't have money. No international aid cause int community only recognizes Libyan authorities in West Libya not in East.

This seriously hinders reconstruction efforts.

12/ I want to emphasize that destruction of Benghazi center didn't happen during 2011 uprising.

From mid 2014 until end 2017 extremists like ISIS, Ansar Sharia, Majlis Shura Mujahedeen Benghazi took over city.

Libyan army &locals fought 3.5 yrs battle to defeat extremists.

13/ Benghazi suburbs still standing. But downtown fully destroyed &destruction near airport +southern entrance city.

Extremists fought hard in these strategic locations:

Downtown because of Benghazi sea port.
Airport for obvious reasons.
Road to Ajdabiya = towards oil fields.

14/ Thank you all for watching our drone footage. Also thanks for all the comments.

The destruction of downtown Benghazi is sadly a part of reality. But in next coming days I'll tell you some positive Benghazi stories as well.

Stay tuned.