Suicide bombing kills 7 soldiers in Libya’s Benghazi

By Ayman Saad

BENGHAZI

At least seven troops loyal to eastern Libya-based parliament were killed in a suicide bombing claimed by Daesh terrorist group in Benghazi on Sunday, according to a local military source.

A bomber detonated his explosive-laden vehicle at a military checkpoint in Ganfouda district in western Benghazi, the source said on condition of anonymity because he was unauthorized to speak to media.

“Seven troops were killed and eight others injured in the attack,” the source added.

Daesh said it had carried out the attack.

In an online statement, the group said two tanks, two armored and several vehicles were destroyed in the bombing.

Libya has been locked in a state of violence and turmoil since 2011, when a bloody popular uprising ended with the ouster and death of longtime strongman Muammar Gaddafi.

Since then, the country’s stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of government -- one in Tobruk and another in capital Tripoli -- each of which boasts its own military capacity and legislative assembly.

Last year, the two rival governments signed a UN-sponsored agreement in Morocco, which subsequently led to the formation of a unity government.

The unity government, however, has so far failed to assume its ruling mandate across the troubled North African country, while armed conflict remains rife between Libya’s warring political factions.