Authorities in western Libya’s city of Zawiya, which houses a major oil terminal and a large refinery, said on Friday they had launched a ‘large-scale operation’ against criminal groups, as clashes and explosions were heard.
Security forces and military units carried out raids and arrests from dawn across the city, located just 45 kilometres west of the capital, Tripoli, an official statement said.
“The operation went after criminal hideouts and wanted individuals who were involved in serious acts,” the authorities said, citing murder and attempted murder, kidnapping and extortion, drug, arms and human trafficking, and illegal migration.
While authorities have yet to confirm any casualties, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) later in a statement condemned the clashes amid disturbing reports of civilian casualties.
“The use of heavy weapons and indiscriminate fire in densely populated neighbourhoods is unacceptable,” the mission said.
“Civilian infrastructure must not be turned into battlefields,” the mission added.
“All parties must immediately halt such practices and immediately cease hostilities as a matter of urgency,” it added further.
Local emergency services urged residents to remain indoors while midday on Friday prayers, when large numbers of worshippers go to mosques, were set to take place.
The city of some 250,000 people has experienced repeated fights between armed groups.
In addition to housing important oil infrastructure, Zawiya has been notorious for smuggling networks involved in fuel and other smuggling across the nearby Tunisian border.
It is also a key departure point for irregular migrants seeking to reach Europe by crossing the Mediterranean.
Libya is still plagued by division and instability after years of unrest following the NATO-backed uprising that toppled long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The UN-recognised government in the west and its eastern rival, backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar, remain divided.
