iStock/Thinkstock(TRIPOLI, Libya) — Libya has descended into chaos as armed militias fight for control of the embattled country.
It is the worst siege of violence since dictator Moammar Gadhafi was overthrown and executed three years ago.
Foreign nations, including the U.S., are pulling out their diplomats as the weak central government has had no luck in establishing any semblance of order among the militias fighting one another.
Adding to the mayhem is a major fire at a fuel depot near Tripoli’s airport that has raged out of control since last weekend. There are worries the blaze could reach a natural gas reservoir that, if ignited, could be unstoppable.
Libya’s appeal for international help to put out the fire is apparently contingent on a halt to the fighting that’s not likely to happen.
Mostly, the conflict is between Islamist extremists and supporters of ex-Libyan General Khalifa Haftar. While estimates of casualties are hard to determine due to the violence, it’s believed the death toll is in the hundreds.
It’s estimated there are as many as 1,700 armed groups operating in Libya, many of whom captured weapons left behind by Gadhafi’s military.
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