Families have been fleeing Libya’s coastal city of Sirte in their dozens, following two days of clashes between ISIL militants and fighters loyal to a government based in Tripoli.
They were seen heading towards Misrata, the stronghold of Libya Dawn, the armed group that backs the Tripoli government.
Food and fuel is said to be running short in the city and unconfirmed reports say the militants have kidnapped foreign medical staff.
The country’s been in turmoil since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, with rival militia groups in the east and west of Libya vying for power.
At the moment the only internationally recognized government is headed by Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thinni who is based in the east.
ISIL militants have exploited the chaos between Thinni’s government and the Tripoli administration and on Sunday claimed responsibility for a car bombing in Misrata which has until now been largely spared the spreading violence.
In February, the militants released a video appearing to show the beheading of 21 Egyptian Christians kidnapped by them in Sirte.
