The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), on Sunday strongly condemned the bombing of a military academy in the capital Tripoli, which according to news reports left at least 30 dead and more than 30 others wounded.
Saturday鈥檚 bombing reportedly took place as cadets were gathering on a parade ground at the Hadaba academy in a southern district of the capital.听听
The forces of the self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) have been laying siege to听Tripoli since April, under the leadership of commander Khalifa Haftar, who is aligned with a rival administration in Tobruk, opposing the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) and allied forces, based in the capital.听
Following an uptick in aerial attacks and shelling in recent weeks, which have killed at least 11 civilians since early December, the听Secretary-General听Ant贸nio听Guterres听released听a听statement听on Friday, renewing听his call for an immediate ceasefire in Libya and a return to political dialogue.听
鈥楧angerous鈥� escalation must stop听
Responding to Saturday鈥檚 attack, where the majority of victims were reportedly cadets from cities across the country,听听stressed in a statement in Arabic on Twitter, that the听escalation in military action听鈥渋n this dangerous manner further complicates the situation in Libya and threatens opportunities to return to the political process.鈥澨�
According to news reports, forces allied with the GNA described the attack as an aerial strike, launched by the LNA, but a spokesperson for the eastern-based militia denied any involvement.听
Offering its听sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a听speedy recovery to the injured,听UNSMIL added that the continuing indiscriminate shelling of civilians and civilian buildings such as hospitals, 鈥渕ay rise to the level of war crimes, and the perpetrators will not go unpunished no matter how long it may take.鈥澨�
Unhindered humanitarian access听
In听听on Friday, the deputy head of the Mission, Yacoub El Hillo, condemned the intensified airstrikes, saying he was 鈥渉orrified by these senseless, indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas and civilian infrastructure that continue to take innocent lives.鈥澨�
He said 12 health facilities had been forced to close in the main areas of 鈥渁ctive clashes鈥� on the capital鈥檚 outskirts, with another four facing imminent shutdown. More than 210 schools are closed leaving 113,000 children out of school.听
Basic services must be provided to all civilians who are in desperate need and whose lives are at risk, added the UNSMIL deputy chief: "Unimpeded, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to civilians must be guaranteed, to allow concerned authorities, United Nations and humanitarian partners provide life-saving work...I call on all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and comply with the provisions spelt out in the Geneva Conventions 鈥� which must be fully respected and implemented in this conflict鈥�.听
Concern is also rising over the prospect of further foreign intervention, with the rival administration in the east reportedly receiving backing from several countries including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan听and Russia.听
Last Thursday, the Turkish parliament approved a bill to unilaterally send troops in support of the Tripoli-based Government.听听
In his statement on Friday, the UN chief warned that "any foreign support to the warring parties will only deepen the ongoing conflict and further complicate efforts to reach a peaceful and comprehensive political solution.鈥澨�
