At least 45 killed in Libya suicide bombings

Islamic Extremism

An image made available by propaganda Islamist media outlet Welayat Tarablos on Feb. 18, 2015, allegedly shows members of the Islamic State militant group parading in a street in Libya’s coastal city of Sirte. AFP PHOTO / HO / WELAYAT TARABLOS

Libyan officials say the death toll from three suicide bombings in an eastern town has reached at least 45.

The deaths came from suicide bombings in the town of Qubba. In the deadliest, an attacker driving an ambulance packed with explosives rammed into a gas station where motorists were lined up, army spokesman Mohammed Hegazi said.

Two other bombers detonated vehicles next to the house of the parliament speaker and the security headquarters in Qubba, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Darna, a stronghold of Libya’s Islamic State branch.

Two security officials said at least 45 people were killed. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press. Government spokesman Mohammed Bazaza put the toll at 42, but said it would likely rise.

Report by The Associated Press