Libya Conflict: Fight for Tripoli intensifies, humanitarian situation worsens

World
Europe

Libyan rival militias are intensifying their attacks around the capital Tripoli. Libyan National Army has been trying to regain control over the strategic Gheryan City, which GNA forces took control of a few weeks ago. While the international community continues to express concerns, the humanitarian situation is getting dire. CGTN's Adel El Mahrouky has this story.

The commander of the Libyan forces based in the East, Khalifa Haftar, instructs his fighters to enter Tripoli. The LNA and the UN-backed government in Tripoli have both been announcing achievements in their war against the other. On the ground the fighting intensifies, but nothing has changed in territorial gains. With this new wave of civil war, hopes for political talks vanished.

AFAF AL FURJANYEDITOR IN CHIEF, AL MAWQIF "It's almost impossible now to resort to negotiations. It's too late for a political solution. There is a clear and obvious war going on between militias, terrorists, extremist groups and the Libyan army. War is at its peak. Negotiations should be between legitimate representatives, people of reason. That is not the case now."

It's the strategic supply city for the LNA's Tripoli campaign. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation worsens. This weekend air strikes on a hospital believed to be led by the LNA, have killed five doctors.

AFAF AL FURJANY EDITOR IN CHIEF, AL MAWQIF "The humanitarian situation in Tripoli is catastrophic. Banks are running out of cash, there is electricity power cuts could last up to 14 hours, which is affecting the health conditions."

According to the World Health Organization, so far at least 1,100 have been killed and 5,750 injured since the war over the Libyan capital began last April.

ADEL EL MAHROUKYCAIRO "At least 100 thousand have been displaced in this new civil war, which so far appears to make no progress for either side, except inflicting more casualties and threatening the safety of tens of thousands of Libyans every day. Adel EL Mahrouky CGTN CA."