Clashes erupted in the Libyan capital, Tripoli late on Monday, causing the suspension of flights to the city’s main airport, after armed faction leader reportedly detained.
Libyan local media and a source in the 444th Brigade reported, according to Agence France-Presse, that the deterrence apparatus for combating organized crime and terrorism detained Mahmoud Hamza, the commander of the 444th Brigade, which controls a large part of Tripoli, at Mitiga airport.
According to sources at Mitiga Airport, all flights to and from the airport were diverted to Misrata, 180 km to the east.
Continued fighting between the two factions, the two largest armed forces in the capital, would pose great risks.
Monday’s clashes are indeed the worst clashes Tripoli has witnessed in months, despite occasional outbreaks of violence between armed factions in other parts of northwestern Libya in recent weeks.