Libya children injured in Haftar airstrike on equestrian school

Horses were killed and a number of children wounded in an airstrike that targeted an equestrian school near the Libyan capital.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

07 October, 2019

Since April, the conflict in Libya has killed at least 1,093 people [Getty]

Some three to five children were sturdily riding their horses when they were suddenly propelled into danger after airstrikes from the military forces of Libya’s warlord, Khalifa Haftar, were deployed on an equestrian school west of the capital.

The warplanes racing above Janzour hit the local horse riding school, injuring the children and one man, as well as killing numerous horses, Fursan Janzour Brigade's spokesman Ahmed Abdeljalili told the Libya Observer.

Sources said the school was hosting a number of children when the airstrike took place, placing them in mortal danger.

Airstrikes by Haftar's Libyan National Army have intensified in recent days amid a bombardment of frontlines and heavy clashes with the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) forces.

Libya has been mired in chaos and violence since an uprising toppled and killed dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

In April, Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army launched an offensive to take the capital, Tripoli.

Haftar enjoys varying levels of support from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Russia, and France.

Since April, fighting between pro-GNA and pro-Haftar forces has killed at least 1,093 people and wounded 5,752, while some 120,000 others have been displaced, according to the World Health Organisation.

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