Libya: LNA renews indirect fire (IDF) on Al-Khadra hospital in Tripoli April 7 /update 1

Event

Indirect fire (IDF) carried out by the Libyan National Army (LNA) targeted Al-Khadra hospital in Tripoli for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, April 7. Several rockets hit the hospital and surrounding area, causing a fire in the vicinity. No casualties have been confirmed in Tuesday's attack as of Wednesday, April 8. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Libya Yacoub El Hilo has condemned the recent attacks on the hospital, which is one of the capital's medical facilities assigned to respond to potential coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.

Similar attacks are possible over the coming hours and days.

Context

A similar assault on Al-Khadra hospital on Monday, April 6, wounded a Bangladeshi medical worker at the hospital and forced a group of patients to evacuate after the power system failed. Three people were also injured by shelling in the nearby neighbourhood of Abu Salim.

The LNA launched an offensive on Tripoli on April 4, 2019, and prompted evacuations of foreigners from Tripoli on April 7, 2019. LNA and GNA airstrikes have been sporadically reported since April 8, 2019. The bulk of recent fighting has been concentrated in the southern suburbs of the capital.

Advice

The security environment in Libya remains complex. Although travel is possible in some areas (with appropriate security protocols in place), other areas should be considered strictly off-limits. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.