IS Claims Attack on Libya Airport, 3 Killed
Tripoli (AFP) - Militants attacked Tripoli's airport on Friday and killed three security personnel, a Libyan official said, in an assault claimed by the Islamic State jihadist group.
"An armed group carried out an attack this morning on the prison located on the Mitiga air base, to try to free the detainees," the airport security official said.
"First there was an explosion... and then a clash with automatic weapons," he said, adding that at least eight attackers died.
An AFP journalist who was at the airport heard a blast followed by gunfire.
IS later claimed the attack on Twitter, saying the operation was aimed at releasing "detained Muslims who are undergoing torture" at the facility.
Four militants -- a Moroccan, a Tunisian and two Sudanese -- died in the attack after having killed or wounded several guards inside the prison, the group said.
Tripoli's international airport, pictured on August 26, 2014, was seriously damaged last year in …
Flights were unaffected by the violence at what is the only airport still functioning in the militia-held city.
Mitiga is a military airfield used for civilian traffic after Tripoli's international airport was seriously damaged last year in fighting for control of the capital.
Libya has been sliding deeper into turmoil since the 2011 ouster of dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with two rival administrations and militias battling for control.
An internationally recognised parliament is based in Tobruk in eastern Libya while its rival operates from Tripoli, backed by the Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) militia coalition.
The General National Congress in the capital issued a statement of condolences to the families of the guards killed on Friday and underlined its determination "to fight and eliminate terrorism".
Islamist extremists have exploited the turmoil in Libya to establish a foothold in the energy-rich North African country.
IS militants in June took over the coastal city of Sirte, 450 kilometres (280 miles) to the east of Tripoli.
Over the past few months, they have claimed several attacks in the Libyan capital, mostly against embassies.
"An armed group carried out an attack this morning on the prison located on the Mitiga air base, to try to free the detainees," the airport security official said.
"First there was an explosion... and then a clash with automatic weapons," he said, adding that at least eight attackers died.
An AFP journalist who was at the airport heard a blast followed by gunfire.
IS later claimed the attack on Twitter, saying the operation was aimed at releasing "detained Muslims who are undergoing torture" at the facility.
Four militants -- a Moroccan, a Tunisian and two Sudanese -- died in the attack after having killed or wounded several guards inside the prison, the group said.
Tripoli's international airport, pictured on August 26, 2014, was seriously damaged last year in …
Flights were unaffected by the violence at what is the only airport still functioning in the militia-held city.
Mitiga is a military airfield used for civilian traffic after Tripoli's international airport was seriously damaged last year in fighting for control of the capital.
Libya has been sliding deeper into turmoil since the 2011 ouster of dictator Moamer Kadhafi, with two rival administrations and militias battling for control.
An internationally recognised parliament is based in Tobruk in eastern Libya while its rival operates from Tripoli, backed by the Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) militia coalition.
The General National Congress in the capital issued a statement of condolences to the families of the guards killed on Friday and underlined its determination "to fight and eliminate terrorism".
Islamist extremists have exploited the turmoil in Libya to establish a foothold in the energy-rich North African country.
IS militants in June took over the coastal city of Sirte, 450 kilometres (280 miles) to the east of Tripoli.
Over the past few months, they have claimed several attacks in the Libyan capital, mostly against embassies.
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