Armed clashes erupted between militias in the Al-Furnaj area of Tripoli. The fighting was reportedly over extending their influence, and taking control of the strategic area.
Local sources told Sky News Arabia that the clashes took place during the early hours of Monday, with locals hearing gunfire.
Al-Furnaj is one of the largest suburbs in the Soug Al-Jumaa area in Tripoli. It is at the southern gate of the capital, and all roads lead to downtown Tripoli.
Last week, deadly clashes erupted between armed groups near the headquarters of the Libyan intelligence Service in Tripoli. Five members of the judicial Libyan police were killed during the fighting.
The issue began after an attack was launched by the Judicial Police Service, affiliated with Osama Najim. It was supported by other armed groups, and reportedly continued until the early hours of Thursday morning.
The forces managed to wrestle control of the headquarters from the Tripoli Revolutionaries militia, led by Ayoub Bouras.
The sources added that the Tripoli Revolutionaries re-mobilized their forces, and launched a failed counter-attack in an attempt to regain control of the building.
Western Libya continues to suffer from the control of Libyan militias, as Tripoli has witnessed a new wave of insecurity and clashes between militias. Violent clashes recently erupted between Al-Far and Ghneiwa, leading to extensive damage 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.
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. MP’s argued that incumbent Prime Minister, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba’s mandate expired when elections failed to take place in December.
