Renewed clashes in Libya’s second largest city Benghazi have killed at least 36 people and injured 71 others, military sources said .

A spokesman for the Libyan army’s Special Force said that “a total of 36 people have been killed due to a double suicide attack and the clashes with Islamist militants, who were advancing towards the Benina airport.

” The spokesman said the death toll quickly rose after many of the injured died of their wounds, according to Al-Marj General Hospital.

Since Thursday, renewed clashes have erupted around Benghazi’s Benina Airport between Islamist militants and pro-secular militias who are loyal to renegade General Khalifa Haftar,

who launched Operation Dignity last May against Islamist militants in what he described as an anti-terror campaign.

Local media reported that the Islamist militants, including those with Ansar al-Sharia, Shura Council and Libya Shield, were trying to seize the airport before Eid al-Adha, or Muslim’s feast of sacrifice.

The crucial air hub was considered as Haftar’s last stronghold to house heavy weaponry and ammunition.

Local citizens also saw Haftar’s helicopters and warplanes taking off from the airport to launch several sorties of attacks on Islamist militant bases on Thursday