Tripoli, Sep 17 (IANS): Renewed clashes have erupted in Libya's second largest city of Benghazi, killing at least nine soldiers and wounding dozens, security and medical sources said Wednesday.

An officer of the "Thunderbolt" army special force said the troops faced continuous attacks from the Islamist armed group Shura Council, who were attempting to break into Pnina airport.

Nine soldiers were killed and 30 others were injured while defending their base Monday and Tuesday, the army officer said on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, the Hawari General Hospital told Xinhua that they had received two bodies and more than a dozen wounded fighters from the Shura Council.

Benghazi has witnessed a drastic escalation of violence since May, when renegade general Khalifa Haftar launched his Operation Dignity, leading national army forces and his secular-leaning militia constantly pounding Islamist militants.

However, Islamist armed groups, including Shura Council and Ansar al-Sharia, struck back in July and had seemingly gained the upper hand. Their forces were now in control of about 80 percent of the land in Benghazi.