At least three civilians were killed and nine others injured during violent armed clashes in the western Libyan city of Al Zawiya, according to the National Institution for Human Rights in Libya, which warned of a serious deterioration in the humanitarian and security situation.
The fighting reportedly erupted between the Security Threats Combat Apparatus affiliated with the Government of National Unity and rival armed groups operating inside the city. Heavy weapons and indiscriminate shelling struck several densely populated residential districts, causing civilian casualties and widespread destruction.
According to preliminary reports, two women were among those killed after rockets and artillery shells hit homes in the Bir Muammar area.
The victims were identified as 28-year-old Al Zaira Al Gharib and 63-year-old Masouda Ali Abu Harba. Nine other civilians sustained injuries after shells and shrapnel landed near homes and civilian facilities across multiple neighborhoods.
The clashes also caused significant damage to public infrastructure and private property. Facilities connected to the Al Zawiya oil refinery and several fuel storage units were reportedly affected, forcing parts of the site out of operation and raising concerns over broader economic and environmental consequences.
Humanitarian conditions worsened after reports emerged that armed groups obstructed evacuation efforts and prevented emergency responders from establishing safe corridors for trapped civilians. Ambulance teams and Libyan Red Crescent crews reportedly faced major difficulties reaching affected areas to evacuate families and transport the wounded for urgent treatment.
The National Institution for Human Rights condemned the violence and described the attacks on civilian areas as violations of international humanitarian law, particularly obligations related to civilian protection and humanitarian access during armed conflict.
The organization warned that the continued presence of armed confrontations inside residential neighborhoods exposes civilians to grave danger and reflects ongoing failures to establish effective security control in western Libya.
The institution called on judicial and military authorities to launch an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the clashes, hold those responsible accountable, and take urgent measures to protect civilians and prevent further escalation.