Armed group kills two workers in second attack on Libya’s Man-made River project

Unidentified gunmen killed two workers and kidnapped two others at a water plant in southeastern Libya early on Saturday, the second attack targeting water facilities in two days, officials said.

“An armed attack was carried out by terrorist groups on the Tazirbu site causing havoc, looting, killing and terrorising families, children and the workers who ensure the supply of water to cities,” said a statement from the Man-made River Project.

An engineer and a guard were killed and two guards were kidnapped in the raid. The assailants also stole cars and supplies from the site, the statement added.

On Friday, members of an unidentified armed group kidnapped three Filipinos and one South Korean employed as technicians at the Al-Hassouna plant, part of the same water network connecting desert wells to towns and cities in northern Libya.

It was not clear who carried out either of the attacks, but armed groups including Islamist militants linked to al Qaeda and ISIS have a presence in Libya, especially in remote desert areas.