UN denounces confrontation in Libya’s Tajoura between two factions within GNA forces
The United Nations has denounced the confrontations between two armed groups in a residential area of the Libyan capital and their use of heavy weapons.
In a statement late Friday, the world body’s support mission in Libya, UNSMIL, has expressed great concern about the fighting in the eastern suburb of Tajoura, and it said: Heavy weapons were used in a civilian-populated neighborhood, in clashes that caused damage to private properties and put civilians in harm’s way.
United Nations Support Mission in Libya declared that it reminds all parties of their obligations in accordance with international humanitarian law and appealed for urgent reforms to improve security.
Actually, the confrontation happened late Thursday between two militias loyal to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), however, the reason remains unclear.
According to unconfirmed local reports, at least three people were killed and many injured in the two camps, while the residents reported that the clashes finished at midday Friday.
On his part, The GNA’s defense minister, Salah Eddine al-Namrouch, has threatened to interfere with force and he ordered the disbanding of the two militias and the deposition of their chiefs to a military prosecutor.
Indeed, Tajoura has also suffered from damage after that the eastern Khalifa Haftar launched an attack against Tripoli in April 2019, while Pro-GNA forces resisted his troops after 14 months of fighting.
It should be noted that Libya has experienced almost a decade of violent chaos since a NATO-backed revolution that overthrew and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gaddafi in 2011.
