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Three militiamen killed in Libya car bomb attack

Three militiamen from forces loyal to Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar were killed today in a car bomb attack in the…

Three militiamen killed in Libya car bomb attack

(PHOTO: Getty Images)

Three militiamen from forces loyal to Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar were killed today in a car bomb attack in the central Waddan region, a militia spokesman said.

The blast – which was not immediately claimed by any group – wounded two others at a checkpoint on the road leading to Tripoli, some 500 kilometres (310 miles) to the north, said commander Ahmed al-Mesmari.

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Jihadists from the Islamic State group remain active in central and southern Libya despite being forced out of their northern stronghold Sirte in 2016.

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Libya has been gripped by chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, with rival administrations and multiple militias vying for control of the oil-rich country.

Haftar supports an administration based in the east of the country. A UN-backed unity government based in the capital Tripoli has struggled to assert its authority outside the west.

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