Deadly Clashes In Libya Capital Claim 32 Lives

Tripoli: As many as 32 people were killed after clashes between backers of Libya’s rival governments, the health ministry said Sunday.

Among the fatalities was Mustafa Baraka, a comedian known for his social media videos mocking militias and corruption.

The health ministry said 140 people had been wounded while 64 families had to be evacuated from areas around the fighting.

It said hospitals and medical centres in the capital were shelled, and ambulance teams were barred from evacuating civilians, in acts that “amount to war crimes”.

The fighting came after months of mounting tensions between backers of Abdulhamid Dbeibah and Fathi Bashagha, whose rival administrations are vying for control of the North African country which has seen more than a decade of violence since a 2011 uprising.

Libya plunged into chaos following the 2011 overthrow and killing of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a Western-backed uprising, with myriad armed groups and foreign powers moving to fill the power vacuum.

Certain armed groups seen as neutral in the latest crisis had moved to back Dbeibah this weekend to push back Bashagha’s second attempt to enter the capital.

Both sides exchanged blame on Saturday while world powers appealed for calm.

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