55 people were killed and 146 others injured – as preliminary statistics – due to the clashes that erupted on Monday and ended Tuesday in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, Emergency Medicine and Support Center revealed in a statement to Libya Alahrar TV.
Clashes broke out in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Monday between two heavily-armed factions: the Special Deterrence Force (SDF) and Brigade 444 – both affiliated with the Government of National Unity (GNU) – over the arrest of the 444’s commander Mahmoud Hamza at Mitiga Airport in Tripoli by the SDF (also known as Radaa).
After a day of fighting, the commander of 444’s Mahmoud Hamza was released in good health condition from the SDF headquarters in Mitiga airbase and handed over to the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA) headed by Abdul Ghani Al-Kikli “Ghaniwa”, an exclusive source told Libya Alahrar TV.
This came after the spokesman for the Government of National Unity (GNU) Mohammed Hammouda told Libya Alahrar TV that Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah agreed with elders of Souq Al-Jumua district in Tripoli to release the 444’s commander Mahmoud Hamza to a neutral security force: (SSA).
Dbeibah was seen late on Tuesday paying a visit to Ain Zara in south Tripoli, where heavy clashes took place between the two warring sides. He was accompanied by a number of officials and military leaders, including the Minister-designate of Interior. The visit aimed to look into the aftermath of the clashes and instruct authorities to conduct thorough assessment of damage.
