Death Toll In Tripoli Offensive Climbs To 562, Over 2,800 Injured - WHO

More than 560 people have been killed and over 2,800 others injured since the start of the offensive on Libya's capital city of Tripoli by the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th May, 2019) More than 560 people have been killed and over 2,800 others injured since the start of the offensive on Libya's capital city of Tripoli by the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.

As of May 19, the death toll is 510, and the injured count is 2,467 people.

"The toll from the armed conflict in Tripoli, Libya is now 562 dead, including 40 civilians, and 2,855 wounded, including 106 civilians. Last week's deaths included two health workers traveling in ambulances," the WHO said on Twitter.

Armed clashes in Libya escalated on April 4, when Haftar ordered his troops to advance on Tripoli to free it from what he called terrorists.

As a result, the LNA gained control over the cities of Surman and Garyan. On April 7, the Government of National Accord (GNA) announced the Volcano of Rage counteroffensive to confront the LNA.

Libya has been suffering from unrest since 2011, when its long-time leader, Muammar Gaddafi, was overthrown and killed. Since then the country has been split between two rival governments, with an elected parliament, supported by Haftar's army, governing the country's east and the UN-backed GNA ruling the west from Tripoli.