At least 23 people were killed and dozens injured in clashes between militias backed by Libya’s rival governments. The Libyan capital Tripoli saw the worst fighting in two years on Saturday. After this clash, it is feared that once again war may break out in the country.
Among those killed during the clash was comedian Mustafa Baraka, who was known for mocking the militia and corruption through his social media videos. Emergency services spokesman Malek Mersett said Baraka died of a bullet injury in the chest.
Mersett said emergency services were still trying to rescue injured people and civilians trapped in the fighting, which erupted overnight and continued until Saturday evening.
The country’s health ministry made an announcement public that 140 people were injured in the clashes, while 64 families had to be evacuated from areas around the fighting. Hospitals and medical centers in the capital were shelled, and ambulance teams were stopped from evacuating civilians, according to the statement.
The stalemate for power in Libya has pitted the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) under Abdul Hamid Dabibah against a rival administration under Fathi Bashaga that is backed by an eastern-based parliament.
Dabeba’s GNU, established as part of a UN-led peace process after previous rounds of violence, said the latest conflict in Tripoli was started by fighters aligned with Bashagha firing on a convoy in the capital, while others Pro-Basha units large outside the cityThere was a mass shooting.
It accused Bashagha of withdrawing from talks to resolve the crisis. Bashagha, backed by the Libyan parliament and the eastern-based military strongman Khalifa Haftar, says the GNU mandate has expired. But he has so far been unable to hold office in Tripoli, as Dabiba has insisted that he hand over power only to an elected government.
