Heavy clashes broke out overnight in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, renewing concerns that the fighting could spill over and disrupt the OPEC member's oil production and exports.
Militias from two of the most powerful armed factions - the Special Deterrence Force and the 444 Brigade - battled in several districts on Monday evening into Tuesday morning local time.
Casualties were reported as the SDF reportedly seized the commander of the 444 Brigade, Mahmoud Hamza, according to a brigade source who spoke to Reuters.
The violence marks the worst fighting seen in Tripoli so far this year and comes after months of relative stability in the city. Libya has been divided since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, with rival administrations based in the east and west vying for control.
Periodic clashes and blockades by armed groups have curtailed Libya's crucial oil industry, which remains exempt from OPEC+ output cuts due to the instability. Just last month, the country's largest field, Sharara, was shut down for days during protests over kidnappings.
Since August, Libya had boosted production close to pre-blockade levels of 1.2 million barrels per day. But the renewed clashes in Tripoli have increased fears over potential disruptions that could cut into those gains.
Tensions have also risen with eastern commander Khalifa Haftar threatening force in late August to demand a fair sharing of oil revenues among factions, underlining the volatility still gripping Libya's political scene.
The latest violence raises fresh doubts over Libya's ability to stabilize its production in the near term.
