Mass escape follows outbreak of armed clashes in western Libya

The violence left at least three civilians dead and several others injured, according to local leader Salem Bahr, who issued a public plea for an immediate ceasefire. While the specific motives behind the clashes remain unclear, the fighting paralyzed the region, forcing the Azzawiya Oil Company to warn staff to avoid roads near the nation’s largest refinery.

Social media footage captured plumes of thick black smoke and the sound of heavy gunfire echoing through the streets. Surman Mayor Mohamed Abu Snina characterized the humanitarian impact as severe, reporting significant damage to infrastructure. A relative calm returned to the area only after the deployment of a neutral force, while authorities have formed a committee to track the missing inmates and initiate legal proceedings.