A number of inmates escaped from a prison in Surman, western Libya, on Tuesday after fighting broke out between rival armed groups in Surman and Zawiya, authorities said.
Libya’s Judicial Police Authority confirmed the prison break and said an investigation is underway to identify the escaped inmates and begin legal action. Officials did not disclose how many prisoners fled.
Local leader Salem Bahr said the violence killed three civilians and injured several others, urging the rival groups to end the fighting. The cause of the clashes was not immediately clear.
The unrest also raised concerns over the nearby Azzawiya oil refinery, Libya’s largest operating refinery with a capacity of 120,000 barrels per day. The refinery operator advised employees to avoid conflict areas and exercise caution.
Surman Mayor Mohamed Abu Snina described the humanitarian situation as severe, saying the clashes caused significant damage before a neutral force restored relative calm.
Libya has remained unstable since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, with armed groups continuing to compete for influence across the country.
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