Libya’s civil war

A battle between two militias in the town of Brak el-Shati in southern Libya on May 19 left at least 140 people dead. The fighting occurred as a militia allied with the internationally recognized Libyan government in western Libya took over an air base held by one of the country’s largest rebel militias. 

The attack took place only two weeks after the prime minister of the internationally recognized government met with General Khalifa Haftar, leader of the rebel group, to discuss a peace agreement. 

Libya has been embroiled in a civil war since the death of its former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The warring factions are split roughly between the country’s west and east. The US Department of State recommends against all travel to Libya because of the ongoing violence between militias.