World

Libya-Fighting rages in Tripoli

Black smoke billows across the sky after a petrol depot was set ablaze during clashes between rival militias near Tripoli's international airport, on the outskirts of the capital, on August 13, 2014. Since mid-July, the country has been rocked by deadly inter-militia fighting for control of key facilities including Tripoli's international airport. Benghazi in the east, Libya's second city, has also seen battles between Islamists and the forces of a renegade general. AFP PHOTO/STR (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)

Intense clashes have been ongoing in the Libyan capital of Tripoli following the detention of the chief commander of the 444th Brigade Mahmoud Hamza by the Special Deterrence Force (SDF),the Libya Observer reported.

Hamza was at Mitiga Airport to take a plane to Misrata when a group of SDF gunmen seized him before boarding his plane on Monday.

The SDF refused to free him and the mediation efforts by top government and army officials, have failed. The SDF and the 444th Brigade engaged in heavy exchange of fire in Tarik Shouk (Shouk Road) near Tripoli Medical Center, Khallah area, and Ain Zara, the southern parts of the capital where both have a significant presence.

There are reports of casualties from both sides as fighting extends on the ground. The Ambulance and Emergency Service declared a state of high alert and started evacuating the citizens trapped in the fighting zones.

Around 20 citizens have been wounded according to initial medical reports,the same source adds.