How’s that Arab Spring working out for the people of Libya? Terribly. Yesterday, clashes between freedom-seekers and Libyan militiamen in Tripoli left scores dead and nearly 500 wounded.
#Libya: A Bloodbath in the Streets of #Tripoli | Transitions http://t.co/zyGWiPFStz
— Suliman Ali Zway (@SulimanZway) November 16, 2013
The Libyan capital is enduring some of its worst days since its liberation in August 2011. Today, the people of Tripoli took to the streets to call for an end to rule by militia in the city — only to be shot at and, in some cases, killed by the same armed militias that helped liberate the capital from Qaddafi’s forces.
On Nov. 15, hundreds of Tripoli residents answered calls for peaceful demonstrations issued by the city’s council, the Grand Mufti, and civil society organizations to protest against the presence of armed militias in the city. The protesters carried white flags as a sign of peace. However, when the crowds marched to the Gharghour area of Tripoli — home to one of the most notorious militias in the city — the protesters were fired upon with live ammunition, including anti-aircraft guns and even rockets. At least 32 people have been killed and at least 391 injured. The casualties included women and children, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Health.
Activists and journalists shared photos and first-hand accounts across social media.
https://twitter.com/zaidbenjamin/status/401460941100826624
Father of two, was also killed today when a militia opened fire on peaceful protesters in #Tripoli pic.twitter.com/XJjOixAXxt
— Danya Bashir (@ceoDanya) November 15, 2013
Violent clashes leave at least 22 dead and 130 injured in Libyan capital Tripoli http://t.co/vSAEfajKpg pic.twitter.com/QDcracAIdK
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) November 15, 2013
Smoke on the #Tripoli skyline from clashes in Gharghur. Libyan govt lacks army, police, so it scrambles fighter jets. pic.twitter.com/0dz1EdNdZN
— Frederic Wehrey (@FWehrey) November 15, 2013
https://twitter.com/Habibiline/status/401676518205956096
https://twitter.com/ChangeInLibya/status/401720364197097472
Protest in Misratta denouncing the killing and demanding disbanding of all militias . #Libya http://t.co/HbMyDZ5IrG #misrata #tripoli
— tikic (@tikib1) November 16, 2013
Scenes from morgue/Bou sleem hospital tonight- all other shots too graphic to share #Tripoli pic.twitter.com/t72ImaLeyu
— Hanan Salah (@HananMSalah) November 15, 2013
https://twitter.com/MushuThaLohari/status/401498674699591680
heavy weapons being fired at distance- trauma nurse from Bou sleem hospital just called 2 tell me about continued clashes in area #Tripoli
— Hanan Salah (@HananMSalah) November 16, 2013
Fresh fighting erupts between rival militias on outskirts of Tripoli, after at least 43 people died yesterday #Libya http://t.co/4hrPFSNUqp
— Mary Fitzgerald (@MaryFitzger) November 16, 2013
update on casualties after Tripoli's 'Black Friday': government announces 43 dead and at least 460 wounded. #Libya
— Hanan Salah (@HananMSalah) November 16, 2013
The White House has no comment so far.
https://twitter.com/lila_noid007/status/401724555729047552
From #Libya, a reminder that Obama's foreign policy has failed almost as spectacularly as #Obamacare http://t.co/WPzJASPzsm
— Michael McNally (@notoserfdom) November 15, 2013
Flashback:
Obama now: This is a momentous day in #Libya, the dark shadow of tyranny has been lifted http://t.co/zou7mhsF #video
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) October 20, 2011
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