Libya: Refugees leaving detention center hit by Haftar

By Fatih Hafiz Mehmet

ANKARA (AA) - Refugees and migrants in a detention center in Libya's northwestern town of Tajoura, which was hit by Khalifa Haftar forces last week, are leaving the center, according to UN on early Wednesday.

At least 53 people were killed and 130 others injured last week in an airstrike on a migrant detention center in the Tajoura suburb of the country's capital Tripoli.

On Thursday, forces loyal to eastern Libyan Commander Haftar admitted carrying out the airstrike.

UNHCR said 260 refugees and migrants have managed to leave Tajoura detention center on Tuesday and reached the Gathering and Departure Facility (GDF) in Tripoli.

It said that the most vulnerable 55 people -- including women and children -- were identified for relocation to the GDF “pending evacuation to a third country”.

The UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli is battling against the forces led by Haftar since 2015.

Libya has remained beset by turmoil since 2011 when a bloody NATO-backed uprising led to the ouster and death of long-serving leader Muammar Gaddafi after more than four decades in power.

Since then, Libya’s stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of power -- one in Tobruk and another in Tripoli -- and a host of heavily armed militia groups.