Benghazi — The Libyan Special Forces known as "al-Saiqa" receive plenty of popular support on the alleys and backstreets of Benghazi, it is logistical support they lack.

The government is late in allocating their budget. And their job of protecting the city is getting tougher by the day.

"We are facing a hidden enemy. We do not know him, a coward," Benghazi Joint Security Room spokesman Colonel Mohamed Hijazi said about the wave of recent bombings and assassinations in the city.

In the latest attack, the commander of the Benghazi Protection Force was killed when a bomb went off under his car on Monday (July 30th), Libya Herald reported. Ahmed al-Barnawi's two sons, one reportedly only four-years-old, were injured in the blast.

On Sunday, two bombings targeted the court of North Benghazi, considered to be the incubator of the revolution, preceded by the assassination of anti-Brotherhood activist Abdessalam Musmari and a group of officers.

Hijazi complained about what he described as a lack of granted capabilities as well as delays in paying the salaries of members of the military and police. Meanwhile, the government disbursed 900 million dinars for the Libya Shield Brigades.

The "hidden enemy" Hijazi mentioned was the main reason for the formation of the Benghazi Joint Security Room, after a car bomb exploded near al-Jalaa Hospital on May 13th, killing several civilians.

Political activist Zahra Lanqi told Magharebia that the Benghazi Joint Security Room was "a miniature model for the potential of success of consensus, participation and co-operation in a limited area between the thwar and forces of al-Saiqa".

"Initially it was assumed that joint co-operation between al-Saiqa and Libya's Shields would take place. This worked at the beginning in securing Benghazi but after the Kowaifiyah events last June, cracks started appearing and the force has lost its substance today," Lanqi said.

She also noted that "it did not receive the budget that the government allocated for it".

Observers say the al-Saiqa forces spearheading the Joint Security Room enjoy the confidence of Benghazi residents because of their devotion to the revolution and slain rebel military chief Abdel Fattah Younes.

The forces are now headed by Colonel Wanes Abu Khamadah, an officer who defected early from Kadhafi's regime and led the liberation of Brega.

"Al-Saiqa has a special symbolism, especially for the general Libyan public, because of its role in supporting the people of Benghazi during the revolution against the Kadhafi regime, and its leadership in the harsh battles of Brega, Ras Lanuf and Ajdabiya," journalist Abdul Aziz Wasli said.

"Its leader, the late Abdel Fattah Younes, gained unanimous support among many Libyan rebels," he added.

Al-Saiqa could be "targeted by militant groups, battalions and the Shields, with which it competes," Wasli said. "Smugglers, drug and alcohol dealers, human traffickers and pimps, as well as figures from the former regime may target it too."

"Everybody supports al-Saiqa but the Shields and the Muslim Brotherhood followers hate it," Mahmoud Ali, a 43-year-old employee told Magharebia. "It is strained because of the weakness of the police. It is now playing the role of the police, the army and even the Municipal Guard."

And even though Benghazi residents respect al-Saiqa, the forces are "being fought by the government, the national congress and the militias", engineer Jumaa al-Msheeti said angrily.

"They are operating in difficult conditions and a complete lack of possibilities, communication devices, bullet-proof equipment and all gear needed by any security force," he said.