New Delhi: Libyans are witnessing deadly situation in the capital city of Tripoli. On Saturday, violent clashes broke out between militias backed by its two rival administrations. This comes after a long standing stalemate.
23 dead, 140 injured
As per the Libyan Health Ministry, almost 23 people died as an impact of the clashes. Over 140 people were reported injured. They have also evacuated 64 families from the area where the clashes occurred.
The escalation poses a threat to the relative calm that has prevailed in Libya for almost two years now. Following a NATO-backed rebellion that overthrew and murdered longtime tyrant Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the oil-rich country descended into a turm oil.
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https://twitter.com/AZmilitary1/status/1563643947163033609?s=20&t=VEL0N-MXPGa3UBSVZtLxTw
Libyan Health Ministry cries ‘War Crimes’
In a statement, the Health Ministry claimed that the first medical teams that were evacuating residents, hospitals and medical facilities in the capital were shelled. They further claimed that these actions “amount to war crimes.”
The Tripoli city council urged the international community to “defend civilians in Libya” and chastised the ruling political class for the deteriorating conditions in the capital.
The violence made the people of Tripoli extremely anxious. Online videos showed what appeared to be fighting-related damage to homes, offices, and automobiles. In additional video, militia fighters is seen deploying and exchanging heavy fire throughout the night sky.
https://twitter.com/AZmilitary1/status/1563550792543375360?s=20&t=VEL0N-MXPGa3UBSVZtLxTw
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UN say Libya undergoes shelling
According to the U.N. mission in Libya, Tripoli’s civilian-populated neighborhoods were subjected to “indiscriminate medium and heavy shelling” throughout the battle.
The mission demanded that all parties in Libya immediately halt hostilities and “refrain from employing any kind of hate speech and encouragement to violence.”
https://twitter.com/ExpatsTripoli/status/1563377341044105216?s=20&t=VEL0N-MXPGa3UBSVZtLxTw
Street fight or political war?
According to local media, the fighting involved two militias supporting Abdel-Ghani al-Kikli, a notorious warlord known as “Gheniwa,” and the Tripoli Revolutionaries’ Brigade militia, led by Haitham Tajouri. More militias joined the battle later on Saturday as it expanded to several parts of the capital.
The Tripoli-based administration of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah asserted that the fighting started when one militia open fired on another.
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Power struggle between Dbeibah & Bashagha
However, it is very possible that the fighting is a result of the ongoing power struggle between Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh and Fathy Bashagha. Bashagha is the rival prime minister who governs from the coastal city of Sirte.
Both Bashagha and Dbeibah have support from militias. In recent weeks, the latter was preparing to enter capital Tripoli to oust his rival.
When Bashagha attempted to establish his government in Tripoli in May. This led to confrontations that resulted in his expulsion from the city.
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