Libya: Clashes between the Libyan forces and armed groups, death toll rises to 32 and 159 wounded
At least 32 people were killed and 159 injured in a clash between the Libyan forces and armed groups on Sunday. The Health Ministry said that the Sunday death toll sparked fears of a significant new conflict, reported Arab News. Armed groups had exchanged fire that damaged several hospitals and set buildings on fire starting Friday evening.
Six hospitals were hit and ambulances were unable to reach areas affected by the clashes, the ministry had said earlier, condemning “war crimes,” reported Arab News. The two rival administrations vying for control of the North African country and its vast oil resources- one based in the capital, the other approved by a parliament in the country’s east- exchanged blame.
The UN’s Libya mission called for “an immediate cessation of hostilities,” citing “ongoing armed clashes including indiscriminate medium and heavy shelling in civilian-populated neighbourhoods.”