Forces loyal to Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA), which is based in the capital Tripoli, have been accused of committing revenge killings in eight cities recently seized from the Libyan National Army (LNA).
Located on Tripoli’s western coast, the cities were captured by the GNA in battles with the LNA that is led by Khalifa Haftar, who controls much of Libya.
Ali Mesbah Abu Sabiha, the head of the Supreme Council of Tribes and Libyan Cities in the Southern Region, slammed on Tuesday GNA leader Fayez al-Sarraj, accusing him of praising his forces, mostly made up of illegitimate groups, after they entered cities west of Libya.
He said Sarraj has failed to “mention any blames on the killings and damages to private and public properties.”
Abu Sabiha added: “Based on the two Geneva agreements, this is considered an ugly and full-scale war crime. You and your forces will be the first accused of committing such crimes.”
Secretary-General of the Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR) in Libya Abdul Moneim al-Horr ruled out his knowledge about “massacres” in the captured cities.
However, he told Asharq Al-Awsat that a number of violations were committed, like theft, looting, and torching private properties and security and military headquarters.
Three strategic coastal cities - Sabratha, Surman, al-Ajaylat - located between Tripoli and the Tunisian border, are among the towns captured by Sarraj’s forces.
