It is survival of the fittest in Libya’s capital now

Armed clashes between militias – some under the control of the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Libya – vying for power and political gains have been raging on since Monday in Tripoli’s southern districts  and after a quick ceasefire, on Wednesday things got heavy. 

Armed brigades of Liwa Al-Sumood led by Salah Badi – one of Fajr Libya leaders in 2014 fighting in Tripoli – joined the fight alongside seventh brigade or Kanyat brigade of Tarhouna against forces securing the areas of Khalit Furjan, Qatar Benghashir, Yarmuk Camp and Salah Eddin.

Reports from a Facebook page for the attacking side under the name “Tatheer Tarabulus or Cleansing Tripoli” said the other side of the battle has been joined by Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade of Haythem Al-Tajouri  alongside Gheniwa brigade, which are both under the GNA.

Several have been killed and others injured with no clear numbers registered by the Ministry of Health.

Meanwhile, the Red Crescent in Tripoli warned families of leaving the clashes’ zones on their own, telling them they should wait for its teams to evacuate them.

The new move threatens the stability and relative and rather fragile security of the capital, which could be very well a non-fit place for elections in next December.

In the meantime, unconfirmed reports reported that the GNA’s Air Force carried an airstrike on the attacking brigades in Tarhouna, leaving behind damaged cars and some casualties.