AFP Security forces patrol the streets of Tripoli
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 22:31
At least 55 people have been killed in fighting between rival militias in Libya early this week. Fighting broke out in the capital Tripoli on Monday between members of Brigade 444 and the Special Deterrent Force. That happened after a commander of the brigade, Mahmoud Hamza, was allegedly captured by rivals and detained at the airport. He was later released, after which the militias ceased fighting.
It was the bloodiest fighting in Libya so far this year. According to the emergency services, the death toll has now risen to 55. 40 people were injured today, bringing the total number of injured to 146. It is unclear how many militia members and how many civilians are among the victims.
Libyan security forces have cleared the streets of Tripoli and are patrolling areas where the fighting was fiercest. Brigade 444 and the Special Deterrent Force are two of the largest militia groups in the capital.
Unstable situation
The violence highlights the unstable situation in the country since the 2011 uprising, which escalated into civil war and led to the fall of dictator Muammar Gaddafi. In the chaos, militias have been able to grow into powerful and wealthy factors of significance, particularly in the capital and in the west of the country. In the summer of last year, for example, 32 people were killed in fighting in Tripoli.
Since 2014, there have been two rival camps in Libya, each with its own government, one in the east of the country and one in the west, where Tripoli is located. Both camps have the support of well-armed militias and several foreign governments. Both parliaments yesterday called for an end to the violence.
Today, the European Union also called on all parties to end the violence and to sit down together to restore peace.
2023-08-16 20:31:46
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