At least 130 people, mostly civilians, have been killed by landmines and abandoned or unexploded ordnance in Libya since the armed group called the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF) withdrew from Tripoli’s southern suburbs in June 2020, Human Rights Watch said today.
Fighters affiliated with the group, commanded by Khalifa Hiftar, and foreign fighters from Russia emplaced banned antipersonnel mines, including victim-activated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and booby traps in Tripoli’s southern suburbs, as they withdrew. The Libyan government and its international supporters should intensify efforts to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance around Tripoli, the capital.
“Forces allied with Khalifa Hiftar laid landmines and improvised explosive devices that have killed and maimed several hundred civilians including children and hinder southern Tripoli residents from returning home,” said Hanan Salah, Libya director at Human Rights Watch.
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Source: Human Rights Watch