Deadly Clashes Shake Zawiya After Security Officer's Assassination on Eid

On Thursday, armed confrontations broke out along the coastal road in the city of Zawiya, located in western Libya, during the second day of Eid al-Adha. The clashes followed the assassination of Captain Mohamed Al-Areebi, an officer with the Zawiya Security Directorate.

Captain Mohamed Al-Areebi was fatally shot near Al-Hajja Mosque by unidentified gunmen who fled the scene, according to local sources speaking to RT.

Medical sources reported to RT that the clashes resulted in one death and two injuries as an initial toll, amid a tense security situation that led to the closure of several main roads in the city.

The Human Rights Foundation urged all citizens and travelers on the coastal road connecting Zawiya and Tripoli to exercise caution. It called on the conflicting parties to establish safe humanitarian corridors and allow emergency, ambulance, and Red Crescent teams to evacuate those trapped in the conflict zones and transport the wounded.

These incidents occur amid a notable escalation of violence in Zawiya, where six assassinations targeting security figures were recorded within a single week.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya previously issued a statement warning about the deteriorating security situation in Zawiya. The mission expressed concern over the series of assassinations and military build-ups in the city, cautioning about the risk of a new security outbreak that could endanger civilian safety.