Captured Libyan commander rejoins unit after clashes kill 55

A Libyan factional commander whose seizure triggered the worst fighting in Tripoli for years, with 55 killed and 146 wounded, was returned to his unit on Wednesday, officials in the commander’s organization said.Mahmoud Hamza, head of the powerful 444 Brigade, was seized by the Special Deterrence Force on Monday as he tried to travel from Tripoli’s Mitiga airport, which the SDF controls.

Under a deal brokered by city elders, the SDF late on Tuesday handed Hamza over to a third faction, the Stabilisation Support Apparatus.

That group released him to the 444 Brigade late on Wednesday, two officials with the brigade told Reuters.Pictures sent by one of the 444 Brigade officials showed Hamza in his uniform hugging fellow fighters upon his return.

Members of the force fired guns into the air on Wednesday evening as news of his expected release was reported.Fighting broke out between the SDF and 444 Brigade across the capital late on Monday after Hamza’s capture.

The death toll from the fighting was announced on Wednesday by Tripoli health authorities, which also said 146 people had been injured.

via Reuters