According to a new report from Human Rights Watch, unidentified forces fired at least four rockets at two camps for internally displaced people in Benghazi on January 9, 2016.
Two witnesses told HRW that three rockets struck the Red Crescent Camp (also known as the Sports City Camp), killing three civilians and wounding seven others, including two children. At least one rocket struck the adjacent Istijaba Camp, the witnesses said, causing material damage but no casualties.
There is no military or militia presence in either camp, the witnesses said. Red Crescent Camp residents are from the town of Tawergha in western Libya, where militias from nearby Misrata forcibly displaced 35,000 people in 2011, accusing the residents of serious crimes. Residents of Istijaba Camp include people from Tawergha as well as others from Misrata and Tomina.
“Firing rockets into displaced persons’ camps with no military present shows utter disregard for civilian lives,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director. “Armed forces and militias need to do their utmost to protect civilians and ensure they are out of harm’s way.”
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(Source: Human Rights Watch)