BFF-43 Death toll tops 200 in battle for Libya’s Tripoli: WHO

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BFF-43

LIBYA-CONFLICT-TOLL

Death toll tops 200 in battle for Libya’s Tripoli: WHO

TRIPOLI, April 18, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – At least 205 people have been killed
and more than 900 wounded in the battle for control of the Libyan capital
Tripoli, the World Health Organization said Thursday.

Fighting broke out on April 4 when military strongman Khalifa Haftar
launched an offensive to take Tripoli, seat of the UN-recognised Government
of National Accord (GNA).

Reporting at least 205 people dead and 913 wounded, WHO said it was
keeping medical and surgical teams deployed at field hospitals near the front
lines.

More than 25,000 people have been displaced by the clashes between GNA
forces and Haftar’s fighters south of Tripoli, including 4,500 over the
previous 24 hours, the International Organization for Migration said
Wednesday.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said it was the highest single-day increase
in displacement.

BSS/AFP/SSS/1631 hrs