On Monday, the city of Al-Zawiya witnessed violent clashes between a militia affiliated with the Awlad Saqr tribe, and another affiliated with Awlad Al-Shawsh, resulting in a number of civilian casualties and injuries.
In these clashes, three civilians were killed, as well as the militiaman Badr Kardamin, from the Awlad Saqr. Nine others were wounded, with their injuries varying from medium to critical.
One of the civilians killed was a bride from the Al-Toumi family, and was travelling to Al-Zawiya with her mother, who suffered injuries to her face.
Light, medium, and heavy weapons were used during the clashes. These erupted after Kardamin stole two trucks loaded with cigarette shipments from the Al-Shawsh militia.
The Government of National Unity (GNU) has reportedly failed to intervene, after civil mediation efforts failed to end the fighting.
Over the past months, violent clashes have taken place in western Libya, the most recent of which was in November. This was between the militias of Mohamed Bahrun (Al-Far) who is affiliated with the Ministry of Interior in Al-Zawiya, and the Stabilization Support Agency (SSA), led by Abdel-Ghani Al-Kikli (Ghneiwa), affiliated with the Presidential Council in Al-Zawiya.
Days before, a major oil refinery in the city, with a capacity of 120,000 barrels per day, was severely damaged as a result of the fighting.