UN Warns of Possible War Crimes as Fighting Rages in Libya

By Staff, Agencies

The United Nations warned Monday of rapidly escalating violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Libya, which it said could amount to war crimes.

While the UN Mission in Libya did not identify a perpetrator, it detailed a "dramatic increase" of indiscriminate shelling on densely populated civilian areas in the capital Tripoli, which have so far killed five civilians and wounded 28 over the past few days.

The fighting has settled into a chaotic stalemate. Buttressed by Turkish air power, Western militias allied with the beleaguered Tripoli government, known as the Government of National Accord, have even reversed the tide in recent weeks and regained lost ground along the western coast.

The UN also expressed concern about the fate of civilians in Tarhuna following the GNA’s military offensive. Without naming Western-based forces, it lamented arbitrary arrests, abuse of civilians and fighters and electricity and gas supply cut-offs, which it said amounted to "collective punishment" in the strategic city.

The UN renewed its plea for a humanitarian truce so Libyan authorities can address the COVID-19 health emergency, urging a halt to the increasing "indiscriminate" and "flagrant" attacks.