In pictures: Libya airport under attack

The inside of a damaged terminal is seen after a shelling at Tripoli International Airport on July 17, 2014. Hani Amara/Reuters

A coalition of militias led by Islamist fighters launched an assault on Tripoli international airport, with clashes later spreading to the road leading to the capital. Hani Amara/Reuters

A picture taken on July 16, 2014, shows unexploded mortar shells sticking out of the ground at the Tripoli International Airport in the Libyan capital. Mahmud Turkia/AFP Photo

‘The airport was attacked this morning with mortar rounds, rockets and tank fire,’ an airport security official said. Seen here is a picture taken on July 16, 2014, shows the remains of a burnt airplane at the airport. Mahmud Turkia/AFP Photo

A picture taken on July 17, 2014, shows people inspecting the passenger terminal at the Tripoli international airport in the Libyan capital. Tripoli international airport came under rocket fire for a fourth straight day, in attacks aimed at ousting anti-Islamist fighters who control the facility, a Libyan security official said. AFP Photo

The fighting has forced a halt to all flights and caused extensive damage to planes and airport infrastructure, with aviation officials saying Tripoli airport could stay closed for months. Mahmud Turkia/AFP Photo

The Islamist rebels have dubbed the operation to crush the Zintan militia “Libya’s Dawn”. Mahmud Turkia/AFP Photo

The rival sides are among several heavily-armed militias which hold sway in the oil-producing North African nation since the uprising. Hani Amara/Reuters

Relentless violence across Libya in past months — including a war against Islamists in the east launched by a rogue general — has sparked fears of all-out civil war. EPA

Islamist militiamen launched their heaviest assault so far on Libya’s main airport two days after a truce with the rival ex-rebels –– the Zintan militia –– that control it collapsed.