Civilians trapped as clashes rock Libya's capital

author: FutureCar Staff    

Clashes between rival militias in the Libyan capital have resulted in residents being trapped in their homes, unable to escape the violence, according to the country's health ministry. This recent fighting in Tripoli appears to be the most intense conflict of the year.

The conflict began when the 444 brigade and the Special Deterrence Force clashed late Monday evening, as reported by local media. Tensions escalated after the head of the 444 brigade was reportedly detained by the other force at an airport in Tripoli earlier that same day.

The Health Ministry has called on the warring factions to allow ambulance and emergency teams to access the affected areas, particularly in the southern part of the city, and for blood to be transported to nearby hospitals. However, the response from Libya's Red Crescent is still awaited.

According to a hospital source, speaking to the AFP, at least two people have been killed and over 30 injured as a result of the clashes.

The aviation industry organization OPSGroup reported that a significant number of aircraft have departed the capital due to the ongoing conflict. Inbound flights have been diverted to the nearby city of Misrata.

The 444 Brigade, which is under the Ministry of Defense, controls Tripoli's southern suburbs and cities such as Tarhouna and Bani Walid located to the east of the capital. They are responsible for securing the roads connecting the capital to the south of the country.

The Al-Radaa Force, also known as the Special Deterrence Force, is a powerful militia that has taken on the role of the police in Tripoli. They present themselves as an independent security division, separate from the ministries of Interior and Defense. The group controls the eastern part of Tripoli, as well as the Mitiga air base, the civilian airport, and a prison.

This recent escalation in violence follows a period of relative calm in Libya after nearly a decade of civil war. The country has been plagued by political stalemate between two rival sets of authorities. While incidents of violence have occurred in Tripoli in recent years, they have typically been resolved within a few hours.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya expressed concern over the security incidents and developments that began on Monday and called for an immediate end to the armed clashes. Both of Libya's rival chambers, the House of Representatives and the Tripoli-based government, condemned the fighting in separate statements. The House of Representatives held the Tripoli-based government accountable for the violence.

The U.S. and British embassies in Libya have also expressed their concerns about the escalating violence in Tripoli. The U.S. embassy urged immediate de-escalation to maintain the recent progress towards stability and elections in Libya.

Since 2014, Libya has been divided between rival administrations in the east and the west, each supported by different well-armed militias and foreign governments. The country has been in a state of turmoil since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011, which led to the overthrow and death of longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi.

FutureCar Staff