Bracing for battle, army evacuating Benghazi port area

BENGHAZI: Libya’s Army urged residents to evacuate a central district of Benghazi that is home to its seaport, a spokesman said on Sunday, as it prepares a military operation against radical fighters in the country’s second-largest city.
At least 230 people have been killed since the army, backed by forces loyal to a former general, have waged an offensive against radical groups in the eastern city, part of chaos plaguing the oil producer.
“The chief of staff asks all residents of the Assabri district to leave by 12 noon (on Monday),” said Ahmed Al-Mesmari, spokesman for the chief of staff.
The district is city’s main commercial area and also home to the seaport used for wheat and petrol imports.
He gave no details but the army had previously said that members of the Ansar Al-Sharia militant group had fled there after the army had seized other districts.
Separately, the Red Crescent evacuated the city’s main childbirth hospital since doctors and nurses have struggled to come to work due to fighting close by, a spokesman said. The childbirth clinic, which will be moved to another hospital, got hit several times.
Six more people were killed on Sunday, lifting the death toll since the start of the army offensive to 230, medical authorities said.