Clashes have erupted in central Libya between Islamic State fighters and a force loyal to a Tripoli-based faction, a military official said yesterday.
It was the first publicly known major confrontation between the two groups since militants loyal to Islamic State, the group which has seized much of Iraq and Syria, established a larger presence in central Libya in recent weeks.
Islamic State, which analysts say is splintered into smaller factions in Libya, has sought to exploit turmoil in the major oil producer where two rival governments and their respective allies fight for power.
Local supporters of the militants executed a group of Egyptian Christians and have claimed attacks on a luxury hotel, foreign missions and police stations in the capital Tripoli.
On Saturday, Islamic State militants clashed with forces allied to a Tripoli-based government that was established after an armed faction called Libya Dawn seized the capital in August. The internationally recognised government of Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni has been forced to operate from the east since then.
First publicly known major confrontation between the two groups
The Tripoli-based chief of staff leadership loyal to the rival government said in a statement two of its soldiers had been killed and seven wounded.
It claimed at least 17 Islamic State fighters had been killed and 13 of their vehicles seized. Residents confirmed the fighting, some 60 kilometres east of Sirte, a major city where Islamic State have taken over government buildings, a university and a radio station.
Libya Dawn had sent troops from its main power base in Misurata, a western city, to Sirte but they had mainly kept to the outskirts and avoided a major confrontation with Islamic State fighters in the city centre, residents said.
The Tripoli-based chief of staff said Islamic State had tried to encircle several parts east of Sirte and attacked citizens passing though checkpoints.
It denounced Islamic State as Gaddafi loyalists, a line echoed by the Tripoli parliament which is backed by some Islamist groups.
The region east of Sirte has been a battlefield since December when Misurata forces moved in to try to seize Libya’s two biggest oil ports, Es Sider and Ras Lanuf, which are held by forces loyal to al-Thinni’s internationally-recognised government.
The oil ports have had to shut down operations due to nearby clashes between the two sides.
Western powers and Libya’s neighbours are worried that the violent conflict in the north African country might break up the Opec producer.