Cyber Monday Deal: Up to 60% off InvestingProCLAIM SALE

East Libyan forces suffer losses as lengthy Benghazi battle resumes

Published 13/03/2017, 16:56
East Libyan forces suffer losses as lengthy Benghazi battle resumes

BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Fierce clashes resumed on Monday at a tower block complex in southwest Benghazi where forces loyal to Libya's eastern government have been battling for weeks to dislodge rival fighters, a security official said.

A spokesman for the special forces of the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), Milad al-Zwai, said jets had bombed the buildings and three special forces soldiers had been killed and three wounded in clashes.

Eastern-based LNA commander Khalifa Haftar has been waging a military campaign for nearly three years in Benghazi against Islamists and other opponents.

Over the past year the LNA has made major gains in Libya's second city, securing several districts and pushing back militants linked to Islamic State and al Qaeda.

However, they still face pockets of resistance, including in the tower blocks between the districts of Ganfouda and Bosnaib.

Dozens of civilians, some of whom are the fighters' families, are trapped by the fighting there. Local and international attempts to negotiate safe passage for them have largely failed.

Analysts say the LNA has been stretched thin and is still plagued by internal divisions, contributing to its loss of two major oil ports southwest of Benghazi this month.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.