Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade seizes Hadba Prison, kills two guards as fighting intensifies

BY Libyan Express May 27, 2017 - 12:40

Tanks roaming the streets in continuous fighting in Tripoli, Libya

An armed group loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA) reportedly seized Hadba Prison, where former officials of toppled and killed dictator Muammar Gaddafi are held.

The armed group, Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade, led by Haithem Al-Tajouri, attacked the complex and clashed with the Security Department Forces, led by Khaled Al-Sharif, killing two guards at least and injuring others.

All Al-Sharif-led forces pulled out from the prison, and Al-Sharif announced that his house in Zanata area was destroyed by the armed group’s forces using a bulldozer.

The fate of the inmates – ex-regime officials – is not clear.

Since Friday morning, forces from Misurata city allied with Salvation Government of General National Congress led by Khalifa Al-Ghweil have been attacking locations of GNA forces in Rixos, Salah Eddeen, Hadba, Hai Demashiq, Ain Zara, airport road and others.

The operation is called Fakhir Libya, Libya’s Pride, and led by Libya Dawn leader Salah Badi.

Tanks, armoured vehicles and armed forces are seen spread all over Tripoli streets with smoke covering the sky with random shells falling on civilian houses.

Over 30 people have been reported dead and 130 injured so far in the clashes, according to Libya’s Health Ministry.

Presidential Council issued a statement condemning the clashes and calling on all forces to stand with force in front of these attacks on the peacefulness of the capital and residents with the coming of Ramadan.

The Head of the High Council of State, Abdel Rahman Al-Sweihli, condemned as well the attacks on the capital and said there is no room for chaos in the capital.

The British ambassador to Libya tweeted this afternoon that he was sorry to hear about the renewed violence in Tripoli.

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