Armed clashes erupted early Wednesday in the Al-Khattaba area of Sabratha, prompting local authorities to suspend classes in schools as a precautionary measure amid escalating security concerns.
Eyewitnesses reported that the fighting broke out along the road linking the Shleibek and Atiya intersections, where two armed groups from the Al-Khattaba and Al-Fatahlia areas exchanged gunfire since the early hours of the morning.
Local sources said the clashes caused significant disruption to movement in the region, with traffic partially paralyzed as residents expressed fears that the violence could spread to nearby residential neighborhoods.
The decision to halt classes reflects growing concerns over student safety, as authorities seek to prevent any risk to children and school staff during periods of instability. Schools in conflict-prone areas across Libya have increasingly been forced to suspend operations during flare-ups in violence.
Sabratha, located West of the capital Tripoli, has witnessed intermittent security tensions in recent years, often linked to disputes between local armed factions.
Authorities have not yet issued further details about the duration of the school closures or the potential for de-escalation, as calls mount for calm and renewed efforts to contain the situation.