Libyan Forces Launch Attacks to Retake Oil Site

Libyan armed forces based in the east launched more airstrikes on Saturday against militias that seized oil terminals a day earlier, a spokesman said, accusing troops from the country’s rival west of launching a war. “Three strikes hit vehicles and targets in the area around the Sidra and Ras Lanuf terminals where at least nine soldiers were killed in Friday’s attack that drove out the army troops despite earlier airstrikes supporting them,” Col. Ahmed Mosmary, spokesman for forces commanded by army chief General Khalifa Hifter, was quoted as saying by AP. The army has deployed more forces in preparation of a counterattack to drive out the militias, known as Benghazi Defense Brigades. Libya has descended into chaos since the 2011 civil war, which ended with the killing of longtime dictator Moammar Gaddafi. The country has been split into two competing parliaments and governments in the east and west, each backed by a set of militias, tribes and political factions. It was not the first time the oil terminals have changed hands in the past three years.