Panafrican News Agency

IOM slams airstrike on Tripoli factory

Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Tuesday deplored an airstrike on a factory in the outskirts of Tripoli which reportedly killed 18 people.

Among the dead in the raid in Wadi Rabii were five migrant workers, the UN migration agency said, quoting the Libyan Health Ministry.

Thirty migrants were also injured in the attack, the ministry said.

“This attack is a stark reminder of the hostile conditions and risks migrants and local communities face on a daily basis,” said IOM Libya Chief of Mission, Federico Soda. 

He added that civilians are not a target; their safety must be guaranteed by all parties to the conflict. 

Hundreds of civilians have died in clashes in Tripoli since the latest round of violence began in April.

Among those killed were 53 migrants who perished in an airstrike on the Tajoura detention centre in July. 

According to IOM Libya Displacement Tracking Matrix, there are over 110,000 migrants in Tripoli and surrounding areas.

Also 2,000 others in detention centres, who remain at risk as clashes continue in the capital.

Roughly, 128,000 civilians have been displaced due to the fighting.  

-0- PANA DJ/VAO 19Nov2019