Medical sources say at least 340 people have been killed in fighting in Libya’s eastern city of Benghazi since October 15.

The Red Crescent and hospital sources said Saturday that more than 200 of those killed were soldiers.

The sources added that among the casualties were a number of civilians, who were caught in the crossfire between militants and government forces fighting for the control of Libya’s second largest city.

The Libyan army launched an offensive last month to drive the militants out of Benghazi. The militants seized the port city and commercial district in July.

Militant groups are also present in Libya’s two other main cities, the capital, Tripoli, and Misrata, located in the northwestern part of the country.

Libya plunged into chaos following the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime dictator, Muammar Gaddafi. The ouster of Gaddafi gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions.

The North African country has been witnessing numerous clashes between government forces and rival militia groups that refuse to lay down arms. The groups are now turning their guns on each other in an attempt to dominate politics and the country’s vast oil resources.