According to a statement from the nation’s emergency services, fighting between two strong armed factions in Tripoli, southern Libya, resulted in at least 27 deaths and 106 injuries.
After Mahmoud Hamza, the 444 Brigade commander, was detained while attempting to enter Tripoli’s main Mitiga airport, fighting broke out on Monday. He was captured by the Special Deterrence Force, an opposing group that has control of the airport. His detention’s origin is still an open question.
After an agreement was struck with the UN-recognised Government of National Unity to transfer Hamza to a neutral party, the fighting stopped late on Tuesday. Among the dead were civilians.
Images from the violence showed smoke rising above the capital, making the fighting the worst of this year.
According to LANA, the agreement covers the end of all military activities in Tripoli, the relocation of military forces to their barracks, the evaluation of property damage to both public and private property, and the issuance of compensation by the Government of National Unity.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) stated on Tuesday that it “is closely monitoring security incidents and developments in Tripoli since yesterday and their impact on the civilian population. The Mission reminds all parties involved of their responsibility under international law to protect civilians.”
The country has seen little peace since it was split between warring factions since 2014, following the 2011 NATO-backed uprising against Moammar Gadhafi. The Special Deterrence Force and the 444 Brigade are considered the strongest military forces in the Libyan capital.