At least two people were killed when missiles fired at a Libyan special forces army base missed their target and struck family homes in the eastern city of Benghazi, residents and officials said yesterday.

The attacks on Friday night followed a week of on-and-off clashes in Benghazi and Tripoli between irregular forces loyal to a renegade former Libyan General demanding the Parliament step down, and rival militias opposing his campaign.

Libya’s government has been unable to control brigades of ex-fighters who helped oust Muammar Gaddafi in a Nato-backed 2011 uprising and have since emerged as heavily armed rivals who often challenge the legitimacy of the state.

It was not clear who fired the rockets at the special forces base in Benghazi. But the city is home to the Islamist militants who have been targeted by forces loyal to retired General Khalifa Haftar.

Residents and army officials said two family members were killed and their children injured when one rocket struck a house and another family was injured in a second strike aimed at a special forces base that has sided with Haftar.

“It is not the first time the special forces base and the Benina air base have been targeted since General Haftar announced his operation and the special forces decided to join him,” said an army official.