BENGHAZI: Islamist fighters clashed with pro-government forces for the second consecutive day yesterday as they pressed an advance on a key oil region in eastern Libya, sources on both sides reported.
Separately, at least 17 Fajr Libya militiamen were killed in an air strike by pro-government forces near the Ras Jedir border crossing with Tunisia, a military source said.
Fajr Libya, an anti-government coalition of Islamist militias, said its men were advancing on Al Sidra oil terminal in Al Hilal region, which is also home to the Ras Lanuf and Brega terminals.
A news agency linked to the group quoted Islamist commander Tareq Shanina as saying his men “advanced toward Al Sidra” and were coming under air attack from pro-government forces.
Shanina said Fajr Libya fired anti-aircraft guns in response.
An official with a unit guarding oil installations said clashes were under way around Al Sidra, Libya’s largest oil terminal.
On Saturday, Fajr Libya launched a three-pronged attack to seize control of Al Hilal but pro-government forces backed by air force jets and helicopters repelled the assault.
The air raids were followed by clashes on the ground that tapered off in the evening only to resume again yesterday.
There were no immediate reports of casualties from yesterday’s fighting there. On Saturday five government soldiers were wounded and Fajr Libya reported that two of its fighters had been killed.
The military source, who declined to be named, said yesterday’s air raid near Ras Jedir was carried out by forces loyal to anti-Islamist ex-general Khalifa Haftar, who is fighting to crush Islamists who control swathes of Libya.
Yesterday, seven police stations closed five months ago during fighting between Islamists and Haftar’s forces reopened in Benghazi, a spokesman for security forces said.AFP
