Gunmen attack army checkpoint in SW Libya, 2 soldiers killed

Unidentified gunmen attacked an army checkpoint in southeastern Libya later on Friday, killing two soldiers and wounding four others, according to an army source.

"A military checkpoint between the towns of Al-Jufra and Barak Al-Shati was attacked by an unknown armed group, killing two soldiers and injuring four others," the source said.

"The attack was carried out in a sudden manner," the source said. "The attackers stormed the checkpoint, which was set up by the army in a desert area."

The source also confirmed that some of the attackers were killed and others fled. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Al-Jufra region, southeast to the capital Tripoli, has witnessed constant moving of Islamic State (IS) affiliates, who fled Sirte and Benghazi in the past few months to mountain and desert areas.

In October, IS affiliates attacked an army checkpoint in southern Libya, leaving two soldiers dead and three others injured. They also attacked another army checkpoint in southern Libya in August and slaughtered nine soldiers.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)