Hafter is still struggling to fully defeat the Benghazi Revolutionaries Shura Council that continues to put up a fierce resistance in its traditional strongholds. This week has seen his forces make limited progress. Hafter still does not have control over key neighbourhoods and areas including Al-Laithi, Buatni, Souq Al-Hoot and Al-Sabri, as well as Sidi Hussein where his forces were pushed back this week. These neighbourhoods are proving particularly difficult to crack and Hafter seems to be edging towards another stalemate in his battle to eliminate Islamist militants from the city.
Meanwhile militant elements have carried out more bombings in Benghazi. This week a car bomb exploded outside a café owned by someone who was allegedly involved in setting fire to the house of prominent Islamist commander, Ismail Salabi.