Libya: Eastern Forces Launch Benghazi Assault, 12 Killed
Local Editor
As the military deadlock still governs the Libyan scene, the country's eastern forces pushed Monday into two districts of Benghazi where they still face resistance, losing at least 12 men in clashes and mine blasts.
From early morning, roads into the Sabri and Souq al-Hout districts were closed and the sound of heavy weapons and flights overhead by military aircraft could be heard in the area.
The self-styled Libyan National Army, led by eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar, has been fighting for three years to take control of Benghazi from extremists and other opponents.
Earlier this year it secured districts in the southwest of the city after a long siege, but some of the LNA's opponents escaped to join fighters in Sabri and Souq al-Hout, to the north.
"Sabri and Souq al-Hout were stormed today from several directions and control was taken over several points, and numerous booby traps and mines were dismantled during the advance," LNA commander Fadel al-Hassi said.
A car bomb aimed at LNA forces had been destroyed before it could reach its target, Hassi said.
A medical source said hospitals had received 12 LNA dead and 20 wounded, casualties of clashes or mine explosions. The number of casualties among the LNA's opponents was not clear
Footage and pictures shared online showed columns of tanks, armored vehicles and ambulances heading toward the neighborhoods.
Militant groups in the city include the Revolutionary Shura Council of Benghazi, an alliance of militias among them suspected members of Daesh [the Arabic Acronym for the terrorist "ISIS"/ "ISIL" group] and the al-Qaeda-linked Ansar al-Shariah.
In another video being shared online Monday, an LNA officer is shown shooting dead a man said to be a suspected Daesh member from Algeria. The footage shows the officer holding his gun to the head of the prisoner, who is kneeling down with his hands on his head.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
