Haftar militia targeted by suicide bomber in eastern Libya

Haftar militia targeted by suicide bomber in eastern Libya
At least two fighters loyal to former Libyan general Khalifa Haftar have been killed, following a suicide bombing in eastern Libya.
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Haftar militias control much of eastern Libya [AFP-file photo]
A suicide bomber has targeted fighters loyal to Libyan militia leader Khalifa Haftar, killing two people, media reported on Tuesday.

The militants targeted the eastern city of Ajdabiya, AFP reported, and it follows a wave of attacks from Islamic State group-linked militants against Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA).

Meanwhile, militants stormed a checkpoint some 150 kilometres (90 miles) away and kidnapped one fighter manning the roadblock, a militia security source told the agency. 

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for either of Tuesday's attacks. 

Read also: Libya's radical Madkhalists are the latest threat

Haftar's forces have come under repeated attack from Islamic State group militants in recent months. 

The fall of the group's former stronghold in Sirte has seen their fighters launch guerilla-style attacks on Haftar-linked militias in the east.

IS claimed responsibility for a car bomb attack in eastern Libya in March, which left at least three people dead.

Haftar-controlled Benghazi was also hit by twin bombings in January, killing at more than 20 people.

Libya has been torn between rival factions since the fall of long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, following a popular uprising.

Two rival governments formed - a UN-backed authority in the capital Tripoli and rival administration in the eastern city of Tobruk - and have fought for control of the country.

Haftar has backed the eastern authority.

The unrest has allowed radical militias to gain ground, with the IS-held city of Sirte falling to forces linked to the western authority in 2016.