An air attack by forces loyal to renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar near the Libyan capital killed five doctors, the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) confirmed.
The attack damaged the hospital and forced it to suspend services.
This incident was the latest in a number of confirmed attacks on health care facilities in Libya. In 2019 so far, the World Health Organization’s Surveillance System of Attacks on Healthcare has registered a total of 37 attacks on health facilities. The incidents killed 11 health workers and wounded 33 health workers and patients.
WHO strongly condemned this attack on Az Zawiyah Field Hospital where 8 others were also injured.
Earlier this month, WHO tweeted that three health workers had been injured when their field hospital in Swani, west of Tripoli was struck for the third time in 40 days.
Conflict in #Libya: Three health workers were injured earlier this week when their field hospital in Swani, west #Tripoli was struck for the third time in 40 days.
Health care workers who are saving lives are #NotATarget. pic.twitter.com/QYouaGrz54
— World Health Organization in Libya (@WHOLIBYA) July 18, 2019
“The armed conflict in Tripoli continues to take a heavy toll on health care workers. The very people who have dedicated their existence to saving the lives of others are being killed themselves,” said Elizabeth Hoff, WHO Representative in Libya.
Although WHO has repeatedly condemned these incidents, they continue unabated.
