First air raids hit Libya's militant-held Misrata
Iran Press TV
Sun Dec 28, 2014 2:49PM GMT
Pro-government forces in Libya have conducted their first series of airstrikes on the militant-held city of Misrata, a spokesman for the country's armed forces general staff says.
Colonel Ahmed Mesmari said on Sunday the retaliatory attacks were conducted in response to a renewed effort by the Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) militants on Sunday morning to capture the key al-Sidra oil export terminal.
Residents said the raids targeted the school of aviation close to Misrata airport, the port and a steel plant.
No immediate reports of casualties have been released yet.
Fajr Libya has been trying to seize al-Sidra and the nearby Ras Lanuf terminal since Thursday when it killed at least 22 soldiers in a surprise attack using speedboats.
Seven of the 19 oil tanks at al-Sidra were set on fire on Thursday as a result of the fighting, an oil official said. Since clashes first started around the export terminals on December 13, Libya's oil production has fallen to less than 350,000 barrels per day compared with 800,000 previously, according to industry experts.
Libya's Misrata, the capital Tripoli and Benghazi are largely in the hands of militants.
Libya plunged into chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. The ouster of Gaddafi gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions.
The country has been witnessing numerous clashes between government forces and rival militia groups that refuse to lay down their arms. The groups are now turning their guns on each other in an attempt to dominate politics and the country's vast oil resources.
AB/HMV/SS
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