By Ajnedin Mustafa.
Tripoli, 24 January 2015:
A peaceful protest in Zawia yesterday turned into a scene of violence according to local media.
Local . . .[restrict]media is reporting that gunmen, apparently associated with Libya Dawn, arrived and began to beat protesters who were holding a peaceful demonstration against bloodshed and fighting in the country.
The protestors were calling for a ceasefire, national reconciliation and the rebuilding of state institutions. Though they said they were not supporting any political side, the attackers accused them of supporting Operation Dignity.
Meanwhile it has emerged that armed militants attacked a farm belonging to Qaddafi regime figures near Zawia, kidnapping several members of one family late last week.
The militants, stationed at Camp Siyad west of Tripoli, broke into the home of the Khalil family in the area of Tina, near Zawia, and abducted the older men after allegedly terrorising the family.
When the attackers entered the home they are said to have fired at those inside, injuring Ahmed Khalil in the leg. He was reportedly still bleeding when the attackers took him away.
Saad Khalil at first refused to go with the attackers. According to other family members, they beat him and then grabbed his young son and began to abuse him, forcing Saad to surrender to them. In addition to Saad and Ahmed, the attackers also grabbed Essam and Fouad Khalil.
Sources close to the family say that they believe the men are being held in Zawia. Their fate is unknown.
Residents in the Tina area as well as the Warshefana have regularly complained of widespread kidnappings, destruction and threats at the hands of Zawia militias. They say they are living in a constant state of fear and instability and that it is affecting the area economically with many shops, bakeries and petrol stations closed due to the security situation.
Meanwhile, the nearby Al-Maya area witnessed the suspicious death of a colonel in the Libyan Army. Abdullah Al-Nasr Al-Harari Al-Warshefani is said to have been kidnapped by Zawia fighters stationed at Camp Siyad. He was released the same day, but while returning home was in a traffic accident, taken to hospital and subsequently died. The causes of the accident have not yet been revealed.
Many members of the Warshefana are reported being held by Libya Dawn forces at the camp in Sidi Bilal Besaad. Although activists have tried to ascertain the conditions of the detainees, their efforts have so far been in vain.
The detainees area said to include a member of the Zawia Security Directorate, members of the Warshefana Crisis Committee, a member of the Al-Maya Municipal Council and a Marine Corps officer. [/restrict]
