On Tuesday, a new wave of fierce clashes erupted between armed groups in Al-Khartoum Street and under the Bir al-Ghanem Bridge in Al-Zawiya city in West Libya. The renewed intense fighting involved heavy gunfire and indiscriminate shelling, causing significant damage to homes and civilian vehicles.
As violence escalated, the Libyan Red Crescent’s Al-Zawiya branch urgently called for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate the safe evacuation of families trapped in the conflict.
“We hope for the cooperation of other security entities and expect the same from the warring factions. The families are in desperate need of help and bear no responsibility for the conflict,” the Red Crescent’s statement read.
The organization stressed that emergency response teams, medical personnel, and ambulances from the Red Crescent and the state must not be targeted.
Al-Zawiya, a city located west of Tripoli, has been a hotspot of frequent violence, primarily fueled by power struggles between local militias. The recent clashes add to the ongoing instability in the region, affecting the safety and livelihoods of residents.
Al-Zawiya, located on the Mediterranean coast about 45 kilometers west of Tripoli, has been a hotspot for violence and unrest. The city holds strategic importance due to its proximity to the capital and its role as a vital hub for Libya’s oil and gas industry. This has made Al-Zawiya a battleground for rival militias vying for control, contributing to a volatile security situation.
Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, Libya has experienced ongoing turmoil. The power vacuum led to the rise of numerous armed groups and two rival administrations, one based in the east and the other in the west of the country.
These competing factions have fueled repeated armed clashes in western Libya, including Al-Zawiya. The control exerted by various militias has further destabilized the region, making it difficult for the government to establish order.
