Concern as Libya crossfire puts
migrants in danger
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| African migrants who fled battle zone in Lybia gather at a detention center in Zawiya, west of Tripoli (AFP) |
The United Nations has expressed concern over the plight of
thousands of migrants and refugees caught in the crossfire in Libya. This comes
as Pope Francis' appeals for the evacuation of refugees and migrants from
detention centers and for their safe passage through humanitarian corridors.
By Nathan Morley
General Khalifa Haftar and his rival government launched an
offensive at the beginning of April to take control of the capital Tripoli.
The rebel-General is trying to snatch the city from the
internationally backed government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj.
Since his offensive began, Haftar has been accused of
commanding forces which are responsible for killing and displacing civilians,
wrecking property, utilising children for military duty, and using missiles to
target urban populations.
The effects of this latest instability have been devastating
on the war-weary population. The UN says that more than 35,000 people have been
forced to flee their homes.
On top of that, the World Health Organization has estimated
that over 270 people have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded in the
clashes.
As well as for the obvious disruption to local life, the
conflict has proved a terrifying ordeal for migrants and refugees at detention
camps on the outskirts of Tripoli, which are near the front lines.
So far, 675 refugees have been moved from Qasr Ben Ghasheer
detention centre to the Azzawia facility, but several thousand more remain
exposed to danger.
Separately, air raids were carried out just before midnight
on Saturday on Tripoli – it’s thought the raids may have been conducted by
unmanned drones, controlled by Haftar’s forces.
Residents heard drones passing near the airport as well as
several explosions.
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