Clash of Rival Libyan Militias Kills at Least 22
Source: New York Times
TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Militias from rival towns in western Libya battled each other with tanks and artillery on Tuesday in fierce fighting that killed at least 22 people, local officials said.
The clashes had erupted over the weekend about 70 miles west of here between the militia in Ragdalein, where most of the 90,000 residents are Arab, and fighters from Zuwarah, a town about half that size, where Berbers predominate.
The violence is fueled by deep-rooted animosity between the neighbors, who took different sides last year in the uprising that toppled Libya’s dictator, Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi.
Zuwarah residents were quick to join the uprising. The Berbers there had complained of discrimination under Colonel Qaddafi, including neglect and a ban from high-level posts. Well armed by rebels during the uprising, they accuse Ragdalein’s fighters of raping women, looting property, and blocking them from reaching their farms south of the city.
Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/04/world/africa/clash-of-libyan-militias-kills-at-least-22.html
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