On 21 July, French President Francois Hollande confirmed three French special forces soldiers had died in the downing of a Libyan National Army (LNA) helicopter on 17 July. The event, and subsequent revelation, unleashed large demonstrations on 22 July in a number of western Libyan cities against France and the Government of National Accord, reinvigorating hardline Islamists and revolutionary factions as a force of opposition to both the GNA and House of Representatives. The demonstrations took place in Tripoli, Misrata, Zawiyya, Zuwara and others, with protestors denouncing the revelation as evidence of a French invasion, and a breach of the internationally recognized political agreement.
