UN Evacuates 650 Migrants From Libyan Detention Center After Shooting Incident - UNSMIL

UNITED NATIONS (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 26th April, 2019) The United Nations has evacuated 650 refugees from the Qaser Ben Gashir detention center in southern Tripoli region after migrants there were wounded in a random shooting incident earlier this week, the UN Stabilization Mission in Lybia (UNSMIL) said in a statement.

"UNSMIL welcomes the evacuation of 650 refugees & migrants from Qaser Ben Gashir detention center," UNSMIL announced via Twitter. "The relocation was possible through concerted efforts of UN agencies and good on the ground cooperation amidst deteriorating security & escalating violence in southern Tripoli."

The UN mission said it continues to monitor and document violations that constitute war crimes and calls on the Libyan authorities to protect civilians.

On Tuesday, the International Organization of Migration said several migrants were seriously wounded after a random shooting at the Qasr Ben Ghashir detention center. Fighting recently reached the area where the center is located as the Libyan National Army (LNA) advanced on the capital.

LNA Commander Khalifa Haftar launched the offensive to retake Tripoli on April 4, saying he would rid the Libyan capital of what he called terrorist forces.

Since the killing of Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi by US-supported Islamic extremists in 2011, Libya has been divided and ruled by two governments. The eastern part is controlled by the LNA, and the western part governed by the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).

The forces loyal to the GNA have undertaken a counteroffensive, dubbed Volcano of Rage, to stop the LNA's advance.