BENGHAZI
At least 18 Libyan soldiers were killed and 69 others injured in clashes between forces loyal to former chief-of-staff Khalifa Haftar and Islamist militias in the eastern city of Benghazi, sources said Tuesday.
Medical sources at Al-Galaa hospital in Benghazi said that the hospital received 18 bodies of Libyan troops and 69 injured others after a day of clashes with Islamist Ansar al-Sharia militiamen.
Most of the fatalities were reported during clashes in Al-Sabri and Al-Lethi district in the city, they added.
The Libyan authorities are yet to comment on the reported casualties.
Earlier this year, Haftar declared war on Islamist militias based in eastern Libya, vowing to "purge" the country of "extremists."
Clashes have been raging between the two sides since mid-October, with Libya's internationally-recognized House of Representatives declaring its support for Haftar's operation against the Islamist militias.
Libya has been dogged by political instability since the 2011 ouster and death of long-ruling strongman Muammar Gaddafi.
Ever since, rival militias have frequently locked horns, often bringing violence to the country's main cities, especially Benghazi and capital Tripoli.
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