At least one person was killed and over a dozen were injured in Libya following deadly clashes that broke out between armed groups in the city Al-Zawiya, West of Tripoli.
According to press reports, the deadly clashes erupted between two armed groups affiliated with the Ministry of Interior and Defence in the city, after one of the group’s members was killed by some affiliates of the other group.
Various types of medium and heavy weapons were reportedly used during the clashes.
The Tunis-based Arab Organisation for Human Rights expressed its deep concern of the armed clashes. It said in a statement that the clashes taking place inside populated areas endanger the lives and properties of the residents.
Western Libya continues to suffer from the control of militias, as Tripoli has witnessed a new wave of insecurity and clashes between armed militias. Violent clashes have recently erupted between Al-Far and Ghneiwa, leading to extensive damages to the Al-Zawiya Oil Refinery Complex.
Other clashes in the Al-Farnaj district of Tripoli took place between Ghneiwa and the Judicial Police Affiliated with the (RADA) Special Deterrence Forces led by Abdel-Rauf Kara.
These events show that despite the political progress being made, the country remains under the control of militias and armed groups.
Notably, Libya is currently facing a political crisis after the Libyan Parliament swore in former Interior Minister, Fathi Bashagha, to lead a new interim government in February. Members of Parliament (MPs) argued that the interim Prime Minister Abdelhamid Al-Dbaiba’s mandate expired when elections failed to take place.
Al-Dbaiba has since refused to cede power, and warned that the appointment of a new interim government could lead to war and chaos in the country. He renewed his pledge to only hand power over to an elected government.