By Adam Ali.
Benghazi, 4 October 2014:
After some of the fiercest fighting so far in Ansar Al-Sharia’s attempt to . . .[restrict]capture Benina airbase, a total of 14 troops from Operation Dignity have been killed and 50 wounded in two days of fighting.
Medics at Benghazi Medical Centre (BMC) told the Libya Herald that two more members of the Dignity forces had been killed today in the clashes and five wounded. Yesterday, it was reported that at least 12 soldiers had been killed and 45 wounded on in this latest assault on airbase
According to the Head of Saiqa Special Forces Investigations Unit, Fadel Al-Hassi, seven soliders were critically wounded and taken to Marj hospital today.
He also disclosed that in response to the latest attack, military planes and helicopters had this afternoon bombed targets in the 17 February Brigade’s headquarters and those of the Benghazi Revolutionaries’ Shoura Council (BRSC) in Hawari and BRSC facilities in Gwarsha.
He accused Ansar and the BRSC of rejecting the Eid truce announced by General Staff.
Fighting stopped this evening around sunset. It is, however, but is expected to begin again tomorrow morning. A pattern of fighting during the day but not at night has emerged.
On Thursday 24 soldiers being killed and 12 wounded, according to the government. Medical reports, however, put Thursday’s toll at 29 dead and dozens wounded.
These are only the casualties on the army’s side. The number of BRSC’s dead and wounded has not been disclosed.
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