Benghazi Shura Council kills over 22 Dignity Operation fighters in a car bomb attack

A car bomb targeting Dignity Operation forces in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi killed at least 22 people and wounded 20 on Tuesday, a commander of the forces and medical officials said.

The blast occurred in a residential area in the Guwarsha district, the scene of fighting between Dignity Operation forces loyal to Tobruk-based House of Representatives and led by Khalifa Haftar, and Benghazi Shura Council fighters.

The Benghazi Shura Council Revolutionaries, said it had carried out the attack, according to a statement posted on media sites linked to the group. It claimed that 28 people were killed and as many as 70 wounded.

Benghazi has been plagued by violence since Dignity Operation commander Khalifa Haftar launched a military campaign against the Shura Council two years ago. His forces have been fighting with the Shura Council fighters in several areas since May 2014, but still have not gained full control of Benghazi.

It was the fourth vehicle bombing in the city in a week, though the toll from Tuesday’s blast was far higher than in previous attacks.
The attack targeted a gathering of the special forces unit of the Dignity Operation, said Fadel al-Hassi, another Dignity Operation commander.

Tuesday’s attack came a day after Haftar’s forces claimed control of a strategic entry point to Guwarsha that had long been held by Benghazi Shura Council.