Libya: Clashes between armed groups erupt in Tripoli
A woman walks with children on a lawn in the Souk al-Thalath (Tuesday Market) neighborhood in central Tripoli, the Libyan capital, on June 11, 2022, after clashes between two influential militias erupted there on June 11, 2022. previous night.
- A night of clashes in Tripoli raised fears of an escalation of violence in conflict-torn Libya.
The intense fighting killed at least one person and caused significant material damage, a security source told AFP.
AFP - MAHMUD TURKIA
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
In Tripoli, the Libyan capital, clashes between armed groups overnight from Friday to Saturday caused scenes of panic.
Result: one fighter killed and significant material damage.
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These violent clashes, with heavy weapons, "
constitute the continuity of those which already broke out on Monday and Tuesday, the day of the arrival of the head of government designated by the Eastern Parliament,
Mr. Fati Bachagha
", explains Hasni Abidi, director of CERMAM, the Center for Studies and Research on the Arab and Mediterranean World.
These clashes opposed two militias: the ASS brigade, considered favorable to Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah, to that of Al Nawasi, close to rival Prime Minister
Fathi Bachagha
.
"
The belligerents are always the same protagonists
", summarizes the director.
And to add that there are also "
other militias and political forces which are under the leadership of the Libyan ministries of Defense and Interior, which are behind the head of government recognized by the international community
".
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See also In Libya, a power struggle between two Prime Ministers
Mr. Bachagha, supported by Parliament and by
Khalifa Hatftar
, had tried three weeks ago to seize power in Tripoli.
An offensive finally missed.
"
I think that Al Nawasi, who supported the head of government appointed by the Tobruk Parliament, did not accept that their colt, Chief Bachagha, would turn around in the face of the military power of the other militias
", concludes Mr Abidi.
After these clashes, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (Manul) showed itself “
deeply concerned”
by these fights which
“endangered the lives of civilians
”.
Stephanie Turco Williams of the United States, Special Representative and Acting Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) calls for calm.
Enough is enough!
I call for absolute calm and protection of civilians.
https://t.co/xZ4WedROie
— Stephanie Turco Williams (@SASGonLibya) June 11, 2022
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