Another mass grave discovered in Libya’s Tarhuna

Oct 29, 2020

Libya’s Tripoli-based government issued arrest warrants for leaders of the country’s Kaniyat militia aligned with Gen. Khalifa Hifter’s forces after yet another mass grave was unearthed outside of Tripoli.

The remains of 12 people were discovered in Tarhuna, a city that for years was under the control of the Kaniyat militia, Reuters reported. Tripoli’s forces retook the area in July with military support from Turkey, amid Hifter’s wider retreat from his Tripoli offensive.

At least 100 bodies have been recovered so far, including from a field hospital in Tarhuna. Last week, a dozen bodies were found buried in the Mashrou Rabt district of Tarhuna.

Some of the bodies discovered so far show signs of abuse, restraint or violent desecration, according to local reports. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has called the findings potential evidence of war crimes.

The United Nations has offered support to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord’s investigation into the killings.