UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said it “is greatly concerned” about reports that civilians were injured and killed during armed clashes in Zawiyah west of Tripoli Sunday night and Monday morning.
“We condemn the use of heavy artillery in densely populated neighborhoods and reiterate calls for the unconditional protection of civilians. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families,” UNSMIL tweeted.It is noteworthy that four people were killed while 13 others, mostly civilians, were injured as a result of clashes that broke out overnight in the city of Zawiya, in northwestern Libya.
According to press reports, among the victims killed was a young female child who died as result of indiscriminate shelling. She was identified by the press as 10-year-old Sabrine Wael Omran Al-Shtiwi.
The violence reportedly erupted between rival armed groups, one of which was led by the commander of the Al Jisr Investigation Unit of the Zawiya Security District, Muhammad al-Sifaw , while the second would be led by commander of the so-called Sila Brigade, Othman al Lahab.
Meanwhile, the spokesman for the emergency services, Osama Ali, urged citizens not to use the main and secondary roads of the city, also given the impossibility for the rescue teams to access the area.