Nine killed in Southern Libya by suspected Islamic state gunmen: residents

According to residents, gunmen raided a town deep in Libya's southern desert, killing nine people and kidnapping several others

Written by Monika Walker

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Updated

Gunmen on Friday raided a town deep in Libya's southern desert, killing nine people and kidnapping several others, a resident said, with officials blaming the attack on the militant group Islamic State.

A military source said the attackers had occupied a police station in the oasis town of Tazerbo, north of Kufra until residents expelled them. The source also said the attackers were believed to belong to Islamic State.

The town - which was a resting point for tourists going on Sahara camping tours before Libya plunged into chaos in 2011 - listed six residents on its website as having been killed.

A resident said nine people had been killed and 10 wounded, adding that the attackers had kidnapped several policemen and civilians.

Islamic State had set up a desert army composed of at least three brigades and has staged several attacks on southern towns since withdrawing into the desert after losing its main stronghold, the coastal city of Sirte, late in 2016.

Author Profile

Monika Walker is a senior journalist specializing in regional and international politics, offering in-depth analysis on governance, diplomacy, and key global developments. With a degree in International Journalism, she is dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices through factual reporting. She also covers world news across every genre, providing readers with balanced and timely insights that connect the Caribbean to global conversations.