CAIRO (AP) — Libyan security forces patrolled the streets and fanned out across Tripoli on Wednesday, a day after clashes between rival militias killed at least 27 people in the country’s capital, authorities said. The clashes erupted late on Monday between militiamen from the 444 brigade and the Special Deterrence Force, and continued into Tuesday evening. Tensions flared after Mahmoud Hamza, a senior commander of the 444 brigade, was allegedly detained by the rival group at an airport in Tripoli, according to local media reports. Amid the chaos, militias grew in wealth and power, particularly in Tripoli and the west of the country. “No progress whatsoever was made on those fronts.”The 444 brigade and the Special Deterrence Force are two of the largest militias operating in Tripoli.

Source: Libya Today August 17, 2023 04:43 UTC