Two influential militias supporting Libya's United Nations-backed government have clashed in the capital city, Tripoli, resulting in the loss of 55 lives and the injury of 146 individuals, according to medical sources.
The intense clashes, occurring from Monday to late Tuesday, resulted in the closure of the main airport in the city.
The conflict abated only after one faction released a detained commander, the very act that had triggered the outbreak of hostilities.
Libya continues to grapple with political turmoil subsequent to the overthrow and demise of longtime ruler Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Presently, the nation finds itself divided, with an interim government, internationally recognized, located in Tripoli, and another situated in the eastern region.
Although a ceasefire was established in 2020, offering a semblance of tranquility, persistent deep-rooted divisions among various factions constantly threaten its stability.
Numerous residents have found themselves confined to their residences due to the fighting, which encompassed various districts of the capital, including Ain Zara in the southeastern part.
The recent eruption of violence involved factions that are active within Tripoli, where Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah leads the government.
The conflict arose when the Special Deterrence Force, in control of the airport, detained a high-ranking commander from the 444 Brigade on Monday as he attempted to depart.
According to Reuters news agency, this detained commander had previously held a position within the opposing militia.
As reported by Libya's Emergency Medicine and Support Center, 234 families necessitated evacuation from the areas facing conflict. This involved the deployment of 60 ambulances, as well as the establishment of three field hospitals to attend to casualties.
The prime minister intervened and successfully secured the release of the detained commander to a "neutral party," according to AFP news agency. He subsequently toured the affected neighborhoods to assess the extent of the damage.
The airport resumed operations later on Wednesday, as stated by AFP.
The United Nations mission expressed apprehension regarding the potential repercussions of these developments on the ongoing preparations for elections, which had been postponed two years ago. The UN's statement emphasized the need for all parties to preserve the security progress achieved in recent years and to address differences through dialogue.
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