Twin car bombs exploded as people left a mosque in a residential area of the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, killing 33 and wounding many more in an attack timed to cause mass casualties among first responders, officials said. The first explosion struck outside a mosque in Benghazi’s central Al Salmani district as worshippers were leaving evening prayers. The city has seen fighting between forces loyal to local strongman Khalifa Hifter, a former U.S.-based Libyan opposition member who leads remnants of Libya's National Army in the east, and Islamist militia opponents. In July, the Libyan National Army (LNA) led by General Khalifa Haftar announced that after more than three years of fighting it has liberated the city from several Islamist militant and jihadist cells belonging to the so-called Revolutionary Shura Council of Benghazi.
A double car bombing in Benghazi, Libya, kills at least 33 people and wounds "dozens" of others. The victims include both military personnel and civilians, according to local officials.