The death toll from ongoing fighting in Libya‘s capital, Tripoli, has risen to at least 50, health officials said, as violence between rival militias rages on.
The health ministry said on Tuesday clashes between armed groups had also left more than 138 people wounded.
The previous death toll stood at 39 people, including 18 civilians.
On August 27, fierce battles erupted in Tripoli’s districts after the Seventh Brigade, an armed group based in Tarhouna, 65km southeast of the capital, launched a surprise offensive against rival militias.
A truce was reached the next day but clashes resumed shortly after, forcing authorities to close Tripoli’s only functioning airport.
The UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli declared a state of emergency on Sunday.
Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud Abdelwahed, reporting from Tripoli, said the situation remained tense with sporadic fighting and indiscriminate rocket fire continuing to land in residential areas.
“Several attempts have failed to put a ceasefire in force since the clashes erupted on August 26,” Abdelwahed said.
“The Seventh Brigade whose commanders say it works under the presidential guard of the GNA was disavowed by the government in April.”