Libyan Islamists Overrun Benghazi Special Forces Base

Since announcing his coup d’etat, Libyan ex-General Khalifa Hifter has secured the loyalty of much of the military, and has been attacking various Islamic militias across the country.

Today, the Islamist “Benghazi Revolutionary Shura Council” bloc turned the tables on the would-be junta, overrunning a key special forces base loyal to Gen. Hifter, and forcing his forces to withdraw.

The Shura Council faction includes Ansar al-Sharia and other key militias from Benghazi, and although not directly affiliated is seen as generally supportive of parliament, which Gen. Hifter is trying to dissolve.

Since the start of the Hifter coup, fighting has surged across Libya, and major battles in Tripoli have also left the nation’s capital ablaze, with what remains of the interim government seeking international help just to put out the fire at a key fuel depot.