Work suspended and humanitarian warnings issued following armed clashes in Zawiya and Surman

Zawiya - Surman, August 4, 2026 (LANA) – Local and humanitarian authorities in the cities of Zawiya and Surman issued a series of warnings and precautionary measures on Tuesday in response to the armed clashes in the region. These measures included suspending operations at several institutions and urging residents to stay indoors and avoid roads and areas of tension.

The Ambulance and Emergency Service announced that the coastal road extending from the Bir al-Ghanam Bridge to the traffic light in the Sabriya area of ​​Zawiya is unsafe due to the armed clashes. It called on citizens and road users to avoid using the road until the situation stabilizes.

For its part, the Libyan Red Crescent Society – Zawiya Branch urged citizens to adhere to safety guidelines, remain indoors, and avoid open areas and the vicinity of doors and windows. It advised seeking refuge on the ground floor or in safer interior rooms when necessary, emphasizing the importance of contacting emergency teams in humanitarian situations or when urgent evacuation is required.

Similarly, the Zawiya West Municipality announced the suspension of operations at all municipal offices on Tuesday to ensure the safety of employees and staff, given the security situation in the city and surrounding areas. The Zawiya West Municipal Council warned that a number of roads have become impassable and unsafe due to the clashes, urging citizens to exercise caution and avoid using them until the security situation improves.

In the city of Surman, the Surman Municipality announced the suspension of work in all its departments and facilities, declaring the day an exceptional holiday to ensure the safety of employees and citizens. Service facilities and emergency services will continue to operate as needed.

In a statement, the municipality condemned the ongoing armed clashes, holding the responsible parties fully accountable. It called on citizens to remain where they are, to only leave their homes when absolutely necessary, and to stay away from areas of conflict, while adhering to instructions issued by the relevant authorities.

For its part, the Libyan Red Crescent Society – Surman Office announced that its emergency teams have been placed on high alert to monitor developments on the ground and respond to citizens' reports. It reiterated its call for people to stay away from streets and open areas, remain indoors, and move to safer indoor locations. The Red Crescent also advised contacting emergency teams for humanitarian cases or evacuation requests.

The association also appealed to all warring parties to protect civilians, open safe humanitarian corridors, and guarantee the freedom of movement for emergency teams, thereby facilitating evacuations and the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.

...(LANA)...