By Libya Herald reporters.
Tunis/Tripoli, 17 April 2015:
The capital witnessed a night of heavy fighting as clashes broke out on the outskirts . . .[restrict]of Tripoli, lasting from the early hours of this morning until dawn.
Several loud explosions were first heard shortly after midnight and one local resident identified them as being loudest in the east of Tripoli, coming from the direction of Tajoura. After around 1 am, intermittent rounds of anti-aircraft guns could be heard being fired from the same area, with further explosions.
Fighting was still ongoing at 5 am. One man returning to central Tripoli from his farm near Tajoura said he had moved off the coastal road in search for cigarettes, and was terrified by a huge explosion which shook his car. Although he did not see any fighting or military persence, he said he could hear missiles and heavy weaponry and, at one point, thought that his car was being targeted. Speeding back into the capital, he noted with surprise that there were no checkpoints.
Clashes were also reported on the other side of the capital. One resident in west Tripoli said he heard further fighting from the direction of the Al-Aziziya side of Janzour, describing the sound of heavy artillery fire as “frighteningly loud”.
The clashes came after an extraordinarily loud evening of fireworks, especially in districts known to be sympathetic to the Libyan National Army (LNA), aligned with Operation Dignity, both of which operate under the House of Representatives (HoR) in Tobruk. Although many assumed these were normal wedding celebrations, several local people posted on social media saying they represented a show of support to the LNA, who have gained ground at Al-Aziziya and now appear to be working on strengthening allied positions near Tajoura.
This morning, skirmishes were reported in several central districts, allegedly between pro-HoR local residents and Libya Dawn security personnel. Although it remains unclear whether anyone was killed or injured in the fighting, it sparked a number of road closures and blockades.
Libya Dawn has accused Tabour forces for being responsible for the surprise raid earlier this week on the Wadi Rabia military base east of Tripoli International Airport in which four, possibly five Dawn fighters were killed. [/restrict]
