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Update: 14 killed in fierce fighting on outskirts of Libya's Tripoli

Xinhua, April 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

A total of 14 soldiers died and another 24 were injured as a brigade of the Libyan National Army mounted assaults on a camp occupied by the Islamist Libya Dawn militants in capital Tripoli, military sources said on Friday.

"Battalion 101 on Friday completely control the Libya Dawn camp in Tajura area," an army officer told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

After fierce fighting, the army force also took control of Ghut Al-Rumman gate of Tajura in east of Tripoli, he added.

The Islamist armed coalition Libya Dawn did not disclose their casualties.

According to some local residents in Tajura, dark columns of smoke were seen in a number of houses hit by shells in the afternoon.

Some witnesses said army supporters in Tajura closed the main road of the area to cut possible supply to the Islamist militants.

Fierce clashes also flared in al-Azizia and al-Zahra areas in western Tripoli between the Islamist militants and the army forces.

The capital city fell to Libya Dawn last August. The armed Islamist coalition established its own government to confront the internationally recognized one, currently in exile in the eastern town of Tobruk.

Pro-government forces have been trying to regain control of the capital from Libya Dawn militias since March.

Although the United Nations brokered several rounds of peace talks between the opposing parties last September, clashes continue despite the truce agreed upon by factions. Endit