The Arab Organisation for Human Rights in Libya expressed its deep concern over the outbreak of armed clashes in the city of Al-Zawiya, west of Tripoli, which was “endangering people’s property and lives.”
In a statement, the Organisation called on the Government of National Unity (GNU) to “work and intensify efforts to restore calm and security in the area, and protect civilians and their property.”
It emphasised that military mobilisation “will lead to unlimited human losses, especially with the widespread proliferation of weapons and the proliferation of armed militias, all of which suffer from a lack of discipline.” As well as urging the international community to assume responsibility. It stressed the need to “include the names of warlords and their assistants on the sanctions list of the UN Security Council.”
On Monday, the Libyan Ambulance and Emergency Service announced the death of four civilians, after an indiscriminate shell hit their house in Al-Zawiya. This is amid renewed clashes between rival militias in the city.
In turn, the Red Crescent reported that it was able to transfer several stranded families from the city, and that “medical teams have been deployed near the sites of the clashes.”
The Zawiya Red Crescent and the Ambulance and Emergency Services appealed to the warring parties to “exercise restraint, prevail over the voice of wisdom, and to stop the clashes until all families trapped in their homes are evacuated.”
Violent armed clashes broke out between armed groups at dawn on Monday. This is against the background of the killing of a member of the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA) in the city.
The Emergency Services reported that a truce had been reached between the conflicting parties, and that calm had returned to the city of Al-Zawiya, after a night of clashes at its western entrance.
