Clashes between armed groups resumed on Thursday in the city of Zawiya, located 42 kilometers west of the capital Tripoli, resulting in one death and two injuries. This comes after the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) warned of escalating violence in the city and ongoing armed mobilization among the warring factions.

Local social media pages reported that clashes broke out between gunmen loyal to the deputy head of the Security Threats Response Unit, Mohammed Bahroun, nicknamed “Al-Far,” and others loyal to Ali Farhat within the city of Zawiya, following the killing of an officer named Mohamed Araibi, who belonged to “Al-Far’s” group, after he was shot by the other group.

No official statements regarding the clashes have been issued by the authorities, including the Ministry of Interior for the Government of National Unity and the Zawiya Security Directorate.

UN Warning Against Escalation in Zawiya

On Tuesday evening, UNSMIL warned against security escalation and the continued mobilization of armed groups in the city of Zawiya, calling on all parties to exercise restraint ahead of Eid al-Adha.

In a statement, the mission expressed “grave concern over reports of the continued mobilization of armed groups, as well as the alarming increase in targeted killings in the city of Zawiya and surrounding areas, which risks sparking a new wave of violence and further endangers civilians.”

Deaths and Injuries in Previous Clashes

Ten people were killed and 20 others injured in clashes that have taken place in the city of Zawiya since May 8, according to local and medical sources cited by Alwasat.

The recent clashes in Zawiya followed an announcement by the city’s Security Directorate that it was launching “a security operation targeting the hideouts of criminals, wanted individuals, and outlaws, as well as anyone involved in acts that threaten public security and social peace.”