Libya: Militiamen open fire on Tripoli protest, killing 31
March was the biggest show of public anger at militias in months
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.At least 31 people were killed and 235 were injured when Libyan militiamen opened fire with anti-aircraft guns, heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades on demonstrators marching through Tripoli.
The protesters had been carrying Libyan and white flags as they demanded that the country’s militia groups be disbanded. There are hundreds of militias in the country, many of them funded by the government, and the march was the biggest show of public anger at them to date.
Gunfire continued into the night after groups of protesters armed themselves and were joined by rival militia forces.
Ali Zidan, Libya’s Prime Minister, blamed militiamen for the deaths of “31 martyrs”. He said: "The demonstration was peaceful and had been permitted by the interior ministry, and then the protesters were fired on when they entered the Gharghur district."
Al-Taher Basha Agha, commander of Misrata-based militia, dismissed claims the protesters were unarmed and said it was they who first opened fire. He said his force would leave “dead bodies” rather than leave Tripoli.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments