TRIPOLI, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Clashes between rival security forces in Libya's western city Sabratha on Sunday killed five people and injured eight others, according to security and medical sources.
"Clashes erupted between anti-IS operation chamber and members of the city's military council killed four people," a security source of Sabratha told Xinhua.
"The clashes broke out at dawn using light and medium weapons after a member of the city's military council was killed by the anti-IS operation chamber," the source added.
The source also said the clashes ceased a few hours ago. However, some gunfiring can still be heard in part of the city. The source also said that elders intervened and mediated between the fighting parties.
A source of the city's hospital told Xinhua that the hospital received one body and eight wounded people, confirming that the number of casualties is likely to increase "as ambulences are unable to access areas of clashes."
The Libyan Red Crescent of Sabratha announced plans to evacuate the remaining families trapped in the areas of clashes.
Sabratha's anti-IS operation chamber was formed in 2016, and is allied with the Tripoli-based UN-backed government of national accord.
The military council opposes the chamber and accuses its members of being loyal to the rival eastern-based General Haftar's army.
Libya remains politically divided despite signing a UN-sponsored peace deal and appointment of a unity government. Since the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime, the north African country is plagued with escalating violence and unrest.
