ANI
25 Apr 2019, 06:07 GMT+10
Washington D.C. [USA], Apr 25 (ANI): The United Nations on Wednesday evacuated some 325 refugees from a detention centre on the southern outskirts of Tripoli amid escalating violence near the Libyan capital.
In a statement, the United Nations Refugee Agency said that those rescued from the Qasr bin Ghashir centre were transported to another detention facility in Azzawya, northwestern Libya, where they were "at reduced risk of being caught up" in ongoing fighting between renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar's eastern forces and troops loyal to the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA).
"The dangers for refugees and migrants in Tripoli have never been greater than they are at present," said Matthew Brook, UNHCR Deputy Chief of Mission in Libya.
"It is vital that refugees in danger can be released and evacuated to safety," Brook added.
The evacuation was triggered by reports on Tuesday regarding the use of armed violence against detainees who protested against the conditions in which they were being held.
While there were no bullet wounds, 12 refugees endured physical attacks that required hospital treatment, the statement said.
The relocation was carried out with support from the Libyan authorities, UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), who facilitated a humanitarian corridor to make the transfer possible, the statement added.
The relocation is the fourth UNHCR-organised transfer since the recent escalation of the conflict in Libya as our teams endeavour to get detainees out of harm's way.
UNHCR has relocated more than 825 refugees from the Ain Zara, Abu Salim, Qaser Ben Gasheer, Tajoura and Zintan detention centres in the past two weeks alone, the statement read.
However, about 3,000 refugees and migrants still remain trapped in detention centres in Tripoli and remain at risk from the "deteriorating security situation" around the capital. Many of the detainees fled war and persecution in their home countries, it said.
India already removed its entire contingent of peacekeeping forces comprising of 15 CRPF personnel on April 6 from Tripoli, a move which was followed by countries like the United States and Nepal.
More than 200 people have lost their lives and 913 have been wounded ever since clashes erupted in the region.
Libya has been largely divided into two factions ever since the death of its dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
The LNA-backed parliament controls the east of Libya, while the UN-backed interim GNA governs Libya's western region from Tripoli. (ANI)Get a daily dose of Cardiff Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Cardiff Star.
More InformationLONDON, U.K.: At least 13 people are believed to have taken their own lives as a result of the U.K.'s Post Office scandal, in which...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will return to Goldman Sachs in an advisory role, the Wall Street...
Dubai [UAE], July 14 (ANI): West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews on Monday surpassed South Africa's Tazmin Brits and her teammate Afy...
by Xinhua writer Zhang Yunlong BEIJING, July 14 (Xinhua) -- As temperatures climb across China, its film market is also heating up,...
London [UK], July 14 (ANI): India's right-arm seamer Mohammed Siraj has been penalised 15 per cent of his match fee after a breach...
London [UK], July 14 (ANI): Ahead of Day 5 of the third Test between India and England at Home of Cricket, the Indian team is in a...
LONDON, U.K.: American consumers and businesses could soon face the highest overall tariff burden in more than a century, according...
The family of Sayfollah Saif Musallet, a 20-year-old American citizen who was beaten to death by Israeli settlers in the occupied West...
CONCORD, New Hampshire: A federal judge in New Hampshire issued a crucial ruling on July 10 against President Donald Trump's executive...
DUBAI, U.A.E.: A cargo ship flagged under Liberia, known as the Eternity C, sank in the Red Sea following an attack executed by Yemen's...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration has started sending some weapons to Ukraine again, just a week after the Pentagon told officials...
ECAULT BEACH, France: On clear days, the white cliffs of the United Kingdom, are visible from northern France, where men, women, and...