Following the Government of National Accord’s (GNA) sudden capture of Surman and Sobratha, images and reports have emerged of forces aligned with the GNA looting public institutions, burning public and private property and arbitrarily arresting civilians.
These acts of retribution are a result of the bulk of the GNA’s forces behind today’s advance being from Zawiya, a town that has historic grievances with both Sorman and Sobratha.
Images have surfaced of Sibrata’s central police station and houses being burnt after being ransacked by an armed group affiliated to the Benghazi Revolutionary Shura Council (BRSC).
Reports of arbitrary arrests taking place in both towns, with a high number of breaking and entering taking place in Sibrata as GNA forces sweep through neighbourhoods arresting known supporters of the Libyan National Army.