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Libyan Deterrence Apparatus for Combating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DACOT), said it has arrested a militiaman involved in the armed clashes that erupted in Al-Zawiya city, west of the country.
DACOT said in a statement on Monday that they would investigate the accused, who was handed-over by the city’s tribal leaders. The Apparatus also vowed to exert all efforts to end “the war” in the city.
At least two children were killed during the clashes that erupted between the Sala’a and Sifaw militias. Sources told Al-Arabiya that tanks and various types of medium and heavy weapons were used during the fighting.
Video clips circulating on social media also showed the firing of grenades and RPG’s from both sides, while thick smoke was seen rising between the buildings, amid reports of civilian casualties.
These clashes came two days after similar clashes between militias in Tripoli, despite UN and international warnings against the use of violence.
The Libyan Ambulance Services said Monday that the death toll from Sunday’s clashes in Al-Zawiya had risen to five, and 13 injuries. It reported the death of a young boy yesterday.
Fathi Bashagha’s Ministry of Interior blamed the recent clashes on the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) decision to “give legitimacy to outlaws.”
In a statement, the ministry “denounced in the strongest terms the armed clashes in Al-Zawiya, and the resulting intimidation, and property damage.” It noted that it had “initiated inference processes and legal procedures against the perpetrators of the clashes, to bring them to justice.”
It called on the “international community to assume its responsibilities in the face of the clashes, which have become frequent, and endanger the lives of civilians.”