Clashes between rival militias kill nine in Libya

At least nine people have been killed in fighting between rival militia groups in western Libya, as the security situation further deteriorates in the conflict-ridden North African country.

“A surprise attack was carried out by Zintan militias and tribal forces, specifically in the crossroads between the towns of Bir al-Ghanam and Zawiya, where our troops are stationed,” a source from the Fajr Libya (Libya Dawn) said on condition of anonymity.

The source added, “More than 30 military vehicles backed by infantry fired heavily against our forces. And our troops responded strongly. Violent clashes took place for more than two hours, killing four of our troops and injuring six others.”

A military source from the internationally recognized Libyan government’s army also said five members of Zintan forces were killed in the clashes, while eight others were wounded.

Meanwhile, Libya’s army chief has warned that ISIL Takfiri terrorists could infiltrate into Europe if the West fails to support his forces with munitions.

Libya’s army chief General Khalifa Haftar

“We want weapons and ammunition only. We have the men. The army is increasing in number every day,” General Khalifa Haftar said on Thursday.

Haftar warned that ISIL militants will “spread in even the European countries if (the West) doesn’t offer real help to the Libyan people, especially the Libyan army.”

The extremists, he said, “will head with the illegal migrants to Europe, where corruption and destruction will spread just like Libya. But there it will be hard to confront them.”

Libyan soldiers loyal to the internationally recognized government rest on a sidewalk in the eastern coastal city of Benghazi, February 28, 2015. (© AFP)

Libya has two rival governments vying for control of the country, with one faction controlling Tripoli, and the other, Libya’s internationally recognized government, governing the cities of Bayda and Tobruk.

The government and elected parliament moved to the eastern city of Tobruk after an armed group based in the northwestern city of Misrata seized Tripoli and most government institutions in August 2014.

Libya plunged into chaos after the ouster of longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, which gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions. Three years on, the country is still struggling with insecurity.

The oil-rich country has been the scene of numerous clashes between government forces and rival militant groups, which refuse to lay down arms.