Turkey expresses concern over militia clashes in Libya

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Turkey on Sept. 1 voiced concern over violent clashes between rival militias in the Libyan capital Tripoli that began earlier this week. 

“We are concerned about the clashes that caused the deaths and injuries of many civilians,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement. 

The clashes first erupted on Aug. 27 after the Defense Ministry-affiliated Seventh Infantry Brigade accused the Tripoli Revolutionary Brigade, aligned with the Interior Ministry, of attacking its positions in southern Tripoli. 

At least 38 people were killed and 90 others wounded in the sporadic clashes since then. 

The ministry said all parties should avoid actions that may harm civilians and disrupt political process led by the United Nations. 

“Turkey is giving full support to efforts to end clashes and restore peace and security in Tripoli,” read the statement. 

Libya has been dogged by turmoil since 2011, when a bloody NATO-backed uprising led to the death of the dictator Muammar Gaddafi after more than four decades in power. 

Since then, Libya’s stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of power - one in Tobruk and another in Tripoli - and a host of heavily-armed militia groups.