Libya’s chaotic descent continues as battle breaks out for Benghazi port

Pro-government forces launched an attack on districts held by Islamist militias around the port of eastern Libya’s restive city of Benghazi on Monday, witnesses and military sources said. A column of black smoke billowed above the districts of central Benghazi as the two sides battled with heavy weapons, witnesses said, and an old naval vessel in the Mediterranean port was set ablaze, apparently by shellfire. The aim of the offensive, launched by forces loyal to retired general Khalifa Haftar backed by army units, was to “clear the zone of armed Islamist groups,” said Colonel Ahmed al-Mesmari, armed forces general staff spokesman.

I saw families running for their lives out of the neighborhood. I even saw women going out of the area without their shoes … A state of panic has taken over the neighborhood.

Resident of Benghazi port area who requested anonymity, to The Associated Press

Earlier, the spokesman issued a call for residents to evacuate the Sabri district near the port, warning Islamist groups had “barricaded themselves among civilians” in the area. Last week, the pro-government forces recaptured areas in south and east Benghazi, including army camps seized by the Islamists in July, when they expelled regular troops from most of the city. Islamist militias, including Ansar al-Sharia, have held sway in most of Benghazi for the past four months. Warplanes could be heard firing into the port area. Dozens of residents were leaving Benghazi, heeding a call by the army to evacuate the port area and main commercial district.

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