Libya: Suspected revenge attack in Mizda kills 30 May 28

Event

Family members of a suspected Libyan people-trafficker that was killed carried out a revenge attack in the town of Mizda (Jabal al Gharbi district) on Thursday, May 28, killing 30 alleged migrants and wounding 11 more. The deceased migrants are of Bangladeshi and African descent. Those wounded were taken to a nearby hospital in Zintan (Jabal al Gharbi district).

A heightened security presence should be anticipated in Mizda in the immediate term, and further attacks are possible.

Context

There are estimated to be more than 645,000 migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in Libya. While numbers are not definite, it is estimated that between 3200 and 5000 of them are being held in GNA-affiliated facilities across western Libya.

The LNA launched an offensive on Tripoli in April 2019 in an attempt to unseat the internationally recognized GNA. Fighting between GNA and LNA forces has continued to flare up in the capital over the last year, with both sides conducting regular airstrikes. However, several attempts to impose a ceasefire between the groups have failed. The bulk of recent fighting has been concentrated in the southern suburbs of the capital. Turkish-backed GNA forces have increasingly pushed back against the LNA around Tripoli since April.

Advice

Individuals in Mizda are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate a heightened security presence, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.