News / North Africa

In fight for Libyan capital, 120 have been killed: WHO

Sunday, 14 April 2019 2:11 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 14 April 2019 2:23 PM ]

The photo, taken on April 12, 2019, shows a smoke plume rising from an airstrike behind a tank belonging to forces loyal to Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) during clashes in the suburb of Wadi Rabie, south of the capital Tripoli. (By AFP)

On April 4, the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) launched a major military offensive against the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA). Now the World Health Organization says more than 120 people have been killed due to the clashes ever since.

The conflict goes on near the capital Tripoli.

While the LNA comprises forces loyal to renegade field marshal Khalifa Haftar, the GNA is administered by Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj.

Over 560 people have also been injured, the WHO said Sunday, denouncing "repeated attacks on health care workers, vehicles."

On Saturday, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported the displacement of more than 13,500 people. Over 900 residents are living in shelters.

"Three medical personnel have been killed and five ambulances have been incapacitated by shrapnel," said an OCHA statement.

PressTV-Haftar’s army downs Libyan govt. military plane

Renegade General Khalifa Haftar's forces shoot down a military aircraft operated by the UN-backed government of Libya.

Libya has been beset by violence since the overthrow of long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. NATO had intervened before Gaddafi was captured and killed.

A patchwork of militant groups based in the east of the country has resisted United Nations efforts to establish a government of national unity.

Washington and major powers in Europe have supported the Tripoli-based government. But there have also been meetings between Western representatives and Haftar on several occasions.

France, which has oil assets in eastern Libya, recently blocked a European Union statement that called on Haftar to halt the LNA offensive. On the other hand, Italy, a big player in Libya’s oil sector, has supported UN-backed Serraj.