Libya: Heavy clashes reported south of Tripoli International Airport May 11 /update 4

Event

Heavy clashes between Libyan National Army (LNA)- and Government of National Accord (GNA)-aligned forces were reported south of the shuttered Tripoli International Airport (TIP) on Saturday, May 11, as the LNA advanced on the Aziziyah axis. Fighting has been reported in Hira and Aziziyah as of Saturday, and a GNA airstrike was reported in Qasr bin Ghashir, east of TIP. Pro-GNA sources claim the GNA repelled LNA attacks at Twaisha, Swani, and Zahra Bridge.

Fighting - including shelling and airstrikes - is expected to continue in the region over the coming days and weeks, particularly in contested areas to the south of Tripoli.

Context

The LNA launched an advance on Tripoli on April 4. Evacuations of foreigners from Tripoli began en masse on April 7. LNA and GNA airstrikes have been sporadically reported since April 8. LNA officials supporting Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar have announced their intention to continue the advance on Tripoli and signaled possible conflict in central oil ports, such as Ras Lanuf and As-Sidr. The bulk of recent fighting has been concentrated in Tripoli's southern suburbs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that some 454 people had been killed in the fighting as of May 10.

Advice

Individuals in Tripoli are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid areas affected by the fighting, and refrain from nonessential movement within the city.

The security environment in Libya remains complex. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.