A Libyan man and his wife were killed, and their two children were severely wounded on Sunday, in a shooting by unidentified gunmen in the city of Zawiya, western Libya.
The murder reopened the debate on the growing crime rates and the escalation of assassinations in the west of the country.
According to local media, the family was returning home after the Ishaa (Evening) prayer. They were subject to intense shooting from unknown armed men, which led to the immediate death of the husband and wife, while the two children remain in critical condition.
This incident sparked widespread condemnation on social media, with the head of the National Human Rights Commission (NCHRL), Ahmed Hamza describing it as “the heinous crime that led to the killing of a family by armed outlaws in the city of Zawiya.” He called on the Libyan authorities “not to remain silent and take urgent action to bring all criminals to trial as soon as possible.”
Head of the Legal Committee of the Victims Organization for Human Rights, (VOHR) Ahmed Al-Murabit Al-Zaidi confirmed that the killing “is a complete reflection of the unfortunate reality that the country is going through, which no one can hide or obscure.”
Western Libya continues to suffer from the control of militias, as Tripoli witnessed several waves of insecurity and clashes between armed militias.
Violent clashes erupted a few months ago between the Al-Far and Ghneiwa militias, leading to extensive damage to the Al-Zawiya Oil Refinery Complex. 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. MP’s argued that Prime Minister, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba’s mandate expired when elections failed to take place.
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.