Islamist militias, including the Central Libya Shield, Marsa Misratan Brigade, Hateen, 27th Mobile Infantry, and the Libyan Revolutionaries Operation Room, surrounded and attacked Tripoli’s airport, trying to take control from the Zintani militias that have been defending it. Seven people have been killed and 36 wounded so far in the clash; all flights have been diverted. The assault on the airport is part of an Islamist offensive called “Libya Dawn”; the militants are trying to drive the Qaaqaa and Sawaq brigades, considered part of the Libyan army, out of the capital city. Rockets destroyed part of Benghazi’s Benina airport yesterday; it is closed to civilian flights due to attacks by Ansar al Sharia but is being used as a base for the helicopters of the Operation Dignity forces. Also in Benghazi, an army colonel and an air force colonel were murdered in separate killings, and nine people, including military personnel and women, were kidnapped on July 10. The US, the UK, and Italy all expressed concern over the worsening security situation in the country.
