US launches its 2nd airstrike in Libya, UN warns of armed escalation

On September 24 United States forces allegedly attacked sourn Libyan town of Murzuq and killed 11 suspected militants. As it was second US airstrike in rth African country in less than a week, United Nations warned of a growing risk of armed escalation and rights abuses in country. Director of operation for US-Africa Command, Major General William Gayler reportedly claimed that airstrike was conducted to eliminate ISIS terrorist and deny m ability to conduct attacks in Libyan people. airstrike was a follow-up of September 19 attack in which US allegedly said to have killed eight suspected militants. 

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conflict

September 24 attack took place in Libya's sourn desert as some Islamic state militants retreated South as group lost its strong control in city of Sirte in 2016. loyal forces of eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar have been trying to capture capital Tripoli since April and ever since n, US has carried out an occasional strike in desert area. US allegedly claimed that y will t allow militants to use fighting around Tripoli for cover. UN Libya envoy Ghassan Salame allegedly claimed that conflict has spre outside Tripoli with air and drone strikes. port city of Misrata, Sirte, and Jufra in central Libya have been allegedly attacked on a regular basis. It apparently also triggered a conflict in Murzuq town where approximately 100 civilians were reported to have been killed. 

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Full-blown civil war

Salame reportedly claimed that conflict risks are being escalated to a full-blown civil war. It is fanned by widespre violations of UN arms embargo by all parties and external actors. He furr ded that serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law are being committed with total impunity, including increased summary executions, enforced disappearances, torture, and ill-treatment as well as conflict-related sexual violence. Haftar's Libyan National Army is battling forces with Government of National Accord which was set up in 2016. Haftar's are backed with foreign countries including UAE and Egypt whose diplomats and analysts reportedly claim that y are vying for influence in oil-rich nation with regional rivals Turkey and Qatar. 

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(With inputs from ncies)