Khaleej Times

Clashes kill 9 at Libya’s internatio­nal airport

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tripoli — Fighting at the Libyan capital’s only working internatio­nal airport killed nine people on Monday, officials said, after militiamen attacked it in an attempt to free colleagues held at a jail there.

Although Mitiga airport was evacuated when the clashes erupted, it was not yet known whether the casualties were all fighters or included civilians.

“Initial toll following the fighting on the perimeter of Mitiga airport: 5 dead at Mitiga hospital and 4 dead at the cardiac surgery hospital in Tajura”, the national unity government’s health ministry said on Facebook.

It said it would give the number of wounded in a later statement.

Mitiga, a former airbase in eastern Tripoli, has been a civilian airport since the city’s main internatio­nal airport was badly damaged in fighting between rival militias in mid-2014.

The North African country has been wracked by chaos since the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed long-time dictator Muammer Gaddafi, with rival authoritie­s and militias battling for control of its oil riches.

Monday’s clashes forced the closure of the airport after a militia in charge of security there said it had been attacked.

“Flights have been suspended because of fighting that broke out this morning,” the Facebook page of Mitiga Internatio­nal Airport said.

Al Radaa, a force loyal to the UNbacked Government of National Accord (GNA) and tasked with keeping the facility secure, said in a statement it had come under attack.

An armed group “has attacked Mitiga internatio­nal airport... which is home to a prison where more than 2,500 people are detained for various” reasons, Al Radaa said on Facebook.

Gunmen attacked in a bid “to free” some of their colleagues detained there, it added, without identifyin­g the assailants.

A GNA statement denounced what it called a “premeditat­ed” attack on the airport. Heavy gunfire could be heard as far away as Tajura 30km from Tripoli, AFP reporters said, adding that all roads to Mitiga were closed. —

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