Clashes between rival militias in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, have already caused at leastseven dead and 31 wounded, some in critical condition, announced the medical services, quoted by the Efe agency.
The Libyan authorities have asked the population not to leave their homes, due to the intense clashes with heavy weapons that are spreading in residential neighborhoods between armed groups, in support of each of the parallel governments that are seeking power in Libya.
The clashes between the forces of Haitham Tajouri, who support the executive of Fathi Bashagha -based in Sirte-, and those of Imad Trabelsi, in defense of the head of the Government of National Unity (GUN), Abdulhamid Dbeiba -based in Tripoli- , triggered a new violent episode last night, which included projectile fire in populated areas.
Medical sources announced the death of Libyan comedian Mustafa Baraka, known on social media, as a result of clashes during a live broadcast.
The spokesman for Emergencies, Osama Ali, confirmed to Efe that several areas continue to be under siege, such as Bab Bin Ghashir, which prevents access to medical services, which activated “maximum alert” in all its centers in the capital and its surroundings.
The president of the city, Ibrahim Al Shibl, denounced a “tragic” situation in several neighborhoods – especially in Bab Bin Ghashir, Jamhouria, Zawiya and Nasir, epicenters of this morning’s fighting – while the Libyan Ambulance and Emergency Service asked a truce to open safes. corridors of the capital, reports Europa Press.
In a statement released by the Libyan Observer portal, the Government of National Unity regretted all the clashes and confirmed the “failure of peace negotiations” with Bashaga’s shadow government after accusing the latter of “opting for violence”. .
Likewise, the Libyan unity government warned of the emergence of “military concentrations” from the coastal area east of Tripoli “to destabilize the security of the city, in a miserable attempt to widen the circle of aggression against the capital.”
Libyan Observer sources said they were Bashaga-linked militias that had advanced from the Warshafana region and are now involved in renewed fighting against unity government forces in Janzour, west of the city.
Since being appointed by the eastern parliament in February, Bachagha has tried unsuccessfully to enter Tripoli to establish his authority, lately threatening to use force to do so. It is unknown if the new clashes fit into an attempt by this former interior minister to seize power in Tripoli.
Bachagha has the support of powerful Marshal Khalifa Haftar, a strongman in eastern Libya whose forces tried to conquer the capital in 2019. Dbeibah, for his part, announced that he would only hand over power to an elected government.
Tensions between armed groups loyal to one leader and another have intensified in recent months in Tripoli. On July 22, clashes left 16 dead and around 50 wounded.
On Tuesday, the UN expressed “deep concern” about the “military mobilizations” and called for immediate appeasement.
The incumbent government in Tripoli was formed in early 2020, in a process accompanied by the UN, with the main mission of organizing elections last December, but which have been consecutively postponed due to strong disagreements.
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Source: Observadora
