Clashes between government-allied militias in western Libya have left a coastal town in turmoil, with families trapped inside their homes and schools forced to close. The violence erupted in the town of Zawiya, located 40 kilometers west of the capital Tripoli, early Saturday morning, resulting in at least one civilian death and 22 others wounded.
The Health Ministry’s Ambulance and Emergency Services reported that the clashes, centered in the southern part of Zawiya, led to the evacuation of several families during a brief lull in the fighting. The Libyan Red Crescent assisted in evacuating trapped families and called for safe corridors to be opened for those still in the conflict zone.
Tribal elders in the town were credited with helping to calm the situation by mid-day Saturday, according to the Health Ministry. The clashing militias are aligned with the government of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, based in Tripoli, although the cause of the fighting remains unclear.
This latest bout of violence underscores the ongoing instability in Libya, which has been plagued by conflict since the overthrow of dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. The country remains divided between rival administrations in the east and west, each supported by armed groups and foreign governments. The situation is further complicated by the presence of lawless militias and ongoing power struggles within the country.