The United Nations says it is “appalled” by apparent retaliatory killings in Libya following reports of eight bodies found in the eastern cities of Benghazi and Derna.
Reports indicate that five bodies were found in Benghazi on Friday, with pictures emerging on social media showing them lying in the dirt covered in blood and mutilated.
Security officials in the town declined to comment on the pictures, which could not be verified independently.
In Derna, located 250 kilometres east of Benghazi, medical sources said the bodies of three people who appeared to have been summarily killed were found dumped in the city on Thursday.
“UNSMIL is appalled by new reports of retribution killings in Libya,” the U.N.’s Libya mission, UNSMIL, said on its Twitter account.
“The brutal pattern of violence must end. Those in effective control of fighters and those ordering, committing such crimes are liable under international law.”
UNSMIL is appalled by new reports of retribution killings in #Libya. Jan25, 3 bodies were reportedly found in #Derna & 5in #Benghazi. The brutal pattern of violence must end. Those in effective control of fighters & those ordering, committing such crimes R liable under Int’l law
— UNSMIL (@UNSMILibya) January 26, 2018
The reports came after a twin car bombing in Benghazi on Tuesday left 35 people dead and dozens injured, and on Wednesday pictures and video emerged purporting to show the summary execution of 10 prisoners outside the mosque where the bombing took place.
Benghazi is controlled by the Libyan National Army (LNA), the dominant force in eastern Libya.
LNA is led by General Khalifa Haftar. It fought Islamists and other opponents in Benghazi from 2014 until late last year as part of a wider conflict that developed in Libya after a 2011 uprising.
In Derna, the LNA has long been battling the Derna Mujahideen Shura Council (DMSC), an armed alliance that controls the city.
The DMSC said it had arrested three people earlier this week for allegedly plotting attacks on behalf of the LNA.
