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By Adam Ali and Noora Ibrahim.
Benghazi, 9 October 2014:
Al-Watan radio presenter Mutassim Al-Warfali was shot and killed in . . .[restrict]Benghazi last night, the sixth victim in two days of a targeted assassination, as members of the security services, civilians and public figures alike are killed with impunity.
Warfali was shot by gunmen yesterday evening as he travelled in the Salmani district. Medical sources explained that he had had multiple gunshot wounds. His assailants have not been identified.
A well known and recognisable figure in Benghazi, Warfali’s killing has reignited anger over the murders of prominent teenage activists Tawfik Ben Saud and Sami Elkawafi last month. The two were killed with ten others in a day of unprecedented violence in Benghazi.
That day of brutal killings has since been dubbed “black Friday” and appeared, as with these latest attacks, to be part of a city-wide campaign of intimidation, orchestrated by extremists.
Also killed yesterday evening was Salim Al-Warfali, no direct relation to Mutassim, in Ras Obeida, staff at Benghazi Medical Centre (BMC) said. Warfali, a private citizen, reportedly had some connection to Salafist groups in Benghazi.
Salafists have regularly been targeted in the city for their allegiance to Operation Dignity.
Army officer Ibrahim Belgasam was killed in Gunfudah yesterday. A resident of the city’s Majouri district, one of his neighbours, who did not wish to be identified, said he had been shot several times by unknown assailants.
Further details are yet to emerge surrounding the killings of two more individuals on Tusday night. Salim Rajab was murdered in the Shebna area . He had formerly been employed by Benghazi’s Crisis Committee. Ismail Aguili was shot and killed by gunmen as he travelled through the Islamist stronghold of Laithi, also on Tuesday night.
Saiqa Special Forces member Muftah Al-Drissi was found dead in the Sabri district of Benghazi on Tuesday. Medical staff at BMC are awaiting the results of forensic tests to assertain exactly how Drissi died although it is believed he was deliberately targeted.
Two combatants from opposing sides in battles at Benina Airport which have raged now for a week were also killed.
The body of Saleem Nabous, a prominent member of the Benghazi Revolutionaries’ Shoura Council was received at the BMC. An Islamist fighter, Nabous was the commander of a lesser known brigade, the Zintan Martyrs’ Brigade.
Mohammed Hammed Recep Najam, an Operation Dignity soldier, was also shot dead near Benina.
The ongoing clashes in and around Benina, which appear at least for the moment to have died down, have been blamed by many for much of the instability in Benghazi in recent months.
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