Benghazi has been the scene of further violence as General Khalifa Haftar renewed his attacks against Islamist targets in key neighbourhoods of the city. Clashes erupted in Benghazi’s Al-Leithi area on 14 August between militants belonging to the Benghazi Revolutionary Shura Council (the umbrella body for Islamist groups, including Ansar Al-Sharia) and Operation Dignity. Fierce fighting also took place on 17 August between the two sides in the Bu Atni area of the city, near Benina Airport.
Libyan Air Force (LAF) commander Saccar Jurushi confirmed this week that LAF jets had carried out a number of airstrikes in Derna, including the Derna Port. The strikes occurred after Jurushi ordered the port’s closure, in a bid to prevent Islamist militants from rearming themselves through shipments from Misrata and other towns.
Reports emerged on 18 August that several camps belonging to Libya Dawn in Tripoli were the targets of airstrikes. There are already rumours that the planes may have belonged to Haftar, or that they may have been Egyptian. As of yet, however, it is not clear who was responsible for the attack.