Eastern Libyan forces attack Tripoli airport for second night

Eastern Libyan forces on Thursday conducted an air strike for a second night on the military section of the only functioning airport of the Libyan capital, a statement by the force said.

The Libyan National Army (LNA) of Khalifa Haftar, which controls eastern Libya, has tried to take the capital held by the internationally recognised government in a two-month offensive but has failed to breach the defences in its southern suburbs.

Civilian air traffic from Tripoli's Mitiga airport has continued despite the fighting.

The LNA late on Thursday attacked the military part of the airport, targeting a "Turkish plane," the force said in a statement. No more information was immediately available.

The LNA reported a similar strike the previous night but air traffic was not affected.

The conflict is part of chaos which has continued in Libya since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Haftar is allied to a parallel government in the east.

The LNA, supported by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, accuses Turkey of backing the Tripoli government and its forces.

Meanwhile, Islamic State claimed responsibility on Thursday for two car bomb explosions that targeted a military unit belonging to the LNA in Derna earlier this week, the group's Al-Nabaa newspaper said.

At least 18 people were wounded in the explosions in the eastern coastal city, a medical source and residents told the Reuters news agency.