Home HEADLINES Death toll hits 200 in battle for Libya’s Tripoli – WHO

Death toll hits 200 in battle for Libya’s Tripoli – WHO

April 18, 2019

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Libya Battle — This picture taken on April 10, 2019 from the side of forces loyal to Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) shows a view of fighters gearing up by technicals (improvised pickup trucks mounted with turrets) at the frontline during clashes with forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar south of the capital Tripoli’s suburb of Ain Zara. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP

At least 205 people have been killed and more than 900 wounded in the battle for control of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Thursday.

Fighting broke out on April 4 when military strongman, Khalifa Haftar, launched an offensive to take Tripoli, the seat of the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).

Reporting at least 205 people dead and 913 wounded, WHO said that it was keeping medical and surgical teams deployed at field hospitals near the front lines.

More than 25,000 people had been displaced by the clashes between GNA forces and Haftar’s fighters south of Tripoli, including 4,500 over the previous 24 hours, the International Organization for Migration said Wednesday.

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UN spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, said that it was the highest single-day increase in displacement.

.AFP