The U.N. says more than 1,000 people have been killed since April in fighting between rival militias over the Libyan capital, a grim milestone in the stalemated conflict, reports AP.
The World Health Organization says those killed include over 100 civilians, and that more than 5,500 people have been wounded since forces loyal to Khalifa Hifter launched an offensive on Tripoli three months ago.
Hifter’s self-styled Libyan National Army is the largest and best organized of Libya’s many militias, and enjoys the support of Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Russia. But it has faced stiff resistance from an array of militias loosely aligned with the U.N.-recognized government in Tripoli, which is aided by Turkey and Qatar.
Libya slid into chaos after the 2011 uprising that overthrew and killed Moammar Gadhafi.