Hostilities first broke out early in the morning of Friday 16 May 2014 when General Khalifa Haftar's forces assaulted the bases of certain Benghazi Islamist militia groups, including the one blamed for the 2012 assassination of US ambassador Christopher Stevens. Helicopters, jets and ground forces took part in the assault, killing at least 70, and injuring at least 250. Haftar also vowed not to stop until the extremist groups are purged. Shortly before the assault, Haftar reportedly asked a close friend, "Am I committing suicide?"