Fighting has broken out once again in Libya as forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar have begun their assault on Tripoli, the country’s capital. General Haftar and his forces have vowed to retake Tripoli from the Government of National Accord (GNA), which is recognized by the United Nations as the legitimate government of Libya. Despite recurring calls for peace talks from the international community, fighting has intensified around the capital. In response to General Haftar’s assault, GNA forces announced a counteroffensive to reclaim territory seized by Haftar’s forces. Since the fighting began, over 2,000 civilians have fled the capital. Some believe that the conflict is motivated by financial aspirations, as control over Tripoli means control over Libya’s banks and oil companies.
