The UN has condemned the planting of mines and explosives by Khalifa Haftar’s militias in houses of civilians in southern Tripoli areas after the terrorist militias had retreated from them.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said Wednesday it was extremely concerned about reports that residents of Ain Zara and Salah Al-Deen areas of Tripoli had been killed or wounded by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) placed in or near their homes.
UNSMIL said this grotesque transformation and deterioration of the conflict, had occurred while families were seeking the safety and comfort of their homes for the Eid Al-Fitr holiday.
“This incident demonstrates deliberate targeting of innocent civilians.” UNSMIL said in a statement. UNSMIL strongly condemned such acts, which it said serve no military objective, but rather provoke extreme fear among the population, and violate the rights of innocent civilians who must be protected under international humanitarian law.
“The Mission calls on all individuals to seek information and heed security advice to stay away from areas that have not been declared safe to enter by a competent authority or items of unknown origin which may be explosive devices.”
UNSMIL applauded the search and clearance work being undertaken by Libyan Police and Military Engineers, many of whom were trained by the UN and the international community and reaffirmed its continued support to Libyan partners, communities, and stakeholders who are working tirelessly to rid Libya of the threat of explosive remnant of war (ERW).
