Death toll of Tripoli Mitiga Airport clashes hit 20 and 60 injuries: Health Ministry says

BY Libyan Express Jan 15, 2018 - 20:19 Updated: Jan 16, 2018 - 21:29

Smoke of military clashes soars above Tripoli

The Libyan Health Ministry of the Tripoli-based government reported Monday evening that 20 people were killed and 60 others injured in the fierce fighting that erupted this morning around Mitiga Airport in Tripoli.

The figures were posted by the Health Ministry on its Facebook page, saying that the injuries range from mild to serious.

Clashes erupted this morning between Brigade 33 led by Basheer Al-Bugra and the Special Deterrence Force that is operating the Mitiga Airport.

According to reports, the area of clashes is now witnessing an uneasy calm after the clashes were stopped.

About two planes for Afriqiyah Airways were damaged considerably by the clashes at the airport, while reports from the security of the airport said over 9 planes were moved to the Tripoli International Airport for safety reasons.

A fight in 2014 left Tripoli International Airport inoperative till today, with Mitiga Airport becoming the last resort for flying in and out of the Libyan capital.

Reports on local media circulated an order by the Presidential Council to dissolve the attacking Brigade 33, but the Libyan News could not verify the reports yet.

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