Libyan protesters ousted a jihadist militia from its headquarters and seized a few other paramilitary bases in Benghazi early Saturday in clashes that left at least two people dead.

The capture of the Ansar al-Shariah militia compound and the bases of other armed Islamic extremist groups came after tens of thousands of Libyans marched through Benghazi Friday, demanding the disbanding of the powerful armed gangs.

Libyans held up signs in English and in Arabic with phrases including “terrorism has no place in the new Libya” and “Libya lost a friend.”

Ansar al-Shariah has been linked to the the assault that killed U.S. ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans in Libya last week, an allegation the group denies.

Anti-militia demonstrators have also demanded the government build up the police and military forces to provide security. The protests have revealed a growing backlash against the militias.

Since the fall of Moammar Gadhafi, the militias have grown stronger, boasting arsenals of automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenades and pick-up trucks with heavy machine guns.