Libya’s ground fighting leads to surge in civilian casualties: UN
Between April and June, more than 100 civilians were killed and over 250 were injured due to an escalation in ground fighting and by explosive remnants and airstrikes.
An escalation in hostilities caused 100 civilian casualties in Libya between April and June, an increase of 65% compared to the first three months of the year, the United Nations said in its latest casualty report for the war-torn country.
Between April 1 and June 30, 2020, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) documented 106 deaths and 252 injuries among civilians. Ground fighting was the leading cause of civilian casualties, along with explosive remnants of war and airstrikes.
Forces affiliated with Khalifa Hifter’s self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) were responsible for a majority of the civilian deaths, UNSMIL said. The UN mission also documented nine incidents impacting schools and another nine attacks on health facilities, seven of which were attributed to the LNA.
For the past six years, the oil-rich country has been embroiled in conflict between two rival administrations and their array of foreign backers, which have flooded the country with illegal arms.
