Libya: Clashes between Khalifa Haftar forces against February 17 Martyrs Brigade in Benghazi
In Benghazi, on Wednesday, militant forces led by the retired general Khalifa Haftar have been attacking with tanks and jets the “February 17 Martyrs Brigade,” a rival to Haftar. A counter-offensive was launched by the February 17 Martyrs Brigade. More than 22 people have been killed in Benghazi in the past two days.
In a broadcast statement on Tuesday, Haftar said that he would liberate Benghazi from “terrorists.” In May, he launched an assault against other militias in Benghazi, but his forces were kicked out of the city two months later.
The February 17 Martyrs Brigade is a part of the Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries, a military group that allies itself to Ansar al-Sharia. Ansar al-Sharia links itself to al-Qaeda and controls most of Benghazi.