By Chris Muhizi for MCN.
The only civilian airport in Tripoli, Libya, was forced to close due to gunfights between the two main armed groups, according to officials on Tuesday.
An interior ministry official said that on Monday night, fighting broke out between the powerful 444 Brigade and the Al-Radaa Force, also known as the Special Deterrence Force.
“Tensions arose shortly after it was announced the Al-Radaa Force had arrested the head of the 444 Brigade,” the official said. “It was not made clear whether this was due to judicial orders or for other reasons.
In a statement, the UNSMIL said it was “following with concern” the deterioration of security in the capital of Libya and how it was affecting civilians.
Since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in a Nato-backed uprising in 2011, Libya has been riven by divisions fueled by an increasing number of armed groups with shifting allegiances.
Beginning in February 2011, a NATO-supported uprising turns into a bloody armed conflict. Gaddafi was killed in October while attempting to flee his hometown of Sirte as rebels closed in. He had been on the run since the rebels took over the capital in August.