Gunmen attack South Korea embassy in Libya, kill 2 guards

Africa, Middle East, News April 12, 2015 , by IRIA No Comments

Unidentified gunmen fired shots at the South Korean embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli on Sunday killing two local security guards, South Korean and Libyan officials said.

Militants claiming loyalty to Islamic State said they were behind the attack, according to a statement on social media. It was not possible to verify the authenticity of the claim.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement that no embassy officials were killed or wounded in the attack. It said the gunmen fired nearly 40 rounds with a machine gun.

A South Korean Foreign Ministry official said the attack took place soon after midnight, so the embassy was empty at the time. Three South Korean embassy officials were staying at the official residence, which is in the same compound. They remained in the residence Sunday, the official said, adding that they include two diplomats but not the ambassador. The official requested anonymity, citing department rules.

The official also said that it was unclear if the attackers targeted the embassy or the Libyan security guards, adding that the ministry was considering removing all its staff members from Libya.

A number of embassies in Libya, including those of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, have been targeted in the past year by militants in similar attacks.

In addition, two bomb explosions took place in February outside the residence of the Iranian ambassador in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, causing minor damage to the empty building.

Libya plunged into chaos following the 2011 uprising against the dictatorship of Muammar Gaddafi. The ouster of Gaddafi gave rise to a patchwork of heavily-armed militias and deep political divisions.

The country has been witnessing numerous clashes between government forces and rival militia groups, which refuse to lay down arms.

ABC/NYDN/CAH/MKA/HMV