Libyan forces killed in militant attack in Ajdabiya

By Walid Abdullah

TRIPOLI

Militants attacked troops loyal to East Libya-based military commander Khalifa Haftar in eastern Libya on Wednesday, amid reports of casualties.

Local media, citing a pro-Haftar commander, said gunmen attacked a security checkpoint south of the city of Ajdabiya.

A number of soldiers were reportedly killed and injured in the attack, according to the commander.

There was no claim of responsibility for the attack.

Libya has been wracked by turmoil since 2011, when a bloody uprising ended with the ouster and death of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Following Gaddafi’s departure, the country's simmering political divisions yielded three rival seats of government -- one of which is based in the eastern city of Tobruk -- and a host of competing militia groups.