By Libya Herald reporters.
Benghazi, 13 July 2015:
In heavy fighting in two Benghazi districts today the army appeared to be making some . . .[restrict]progress, even as IS published heroic pictures of its fighters, apparently taken on Wednesday as they began their assault on government positions in Leithi.
Five soldiers are known to have been killed in the fighting in Leithi which has continued all day and still rages this evening, while at least three militants have died.
In that hotly-contested part of the city, most of which is still in the hands of Ansar Al-Sharia, the army assault continued to focus on Nubs Square. It is being reported that the sand-filled containers which had blocked the three entrances to the strategic position, had been moved aside and the square taken. Yesterday the army had moved in to positions on three sides of it.
Tanks and a large armoured personnel carrier breached the square in a hail of gunfire. The assault had been preceded by four early-morning airstrikes by Mig-23s. However, as troops moved into the buildings, they encountered widespread booby traps left by retreating militants.
Two soldiers were wounded when explosives went off. Moreover, troops once again also had to cope with sniper fire which has played such an important role in slowing past advances.
Meanwhile in Buatni, army casualties were higher, as Ansar launched an assault against the Saiqa Brigade, it is presumed, to take pressure off the militants in Lethi. Five soldiers were killed and more than ten wounded in the attack which appears to have been beaten off. It is being claimed that at least a dozen militants died in the assault.
Throughout the day, a succession of mortar rounds fell on government positions as well as residential areas. It is currently unclear how many people were killed or injured by these salvoes.
The militants continue to receive supplies and reinforcements through the small port of Mreisa on the southern edge of Benghazi. Though the army claims to control most of the area, it has been unable to take the port itself because of well-prepared defensive positions and extensive minefields. [/restrict]
