Libyan Journalist Killed By Shrapnel While Covering Clashes

A freelance photographer, video journalist, and contributer to the Associated Press, RT’s video agency Ruptly, among other news organizations, was killed Saturday in clashes between rival militias in the Libyan capital Tripoli.

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Mohamed Ben Khalifa died from the impact of shrapnel in the Libyan capital while covering the clashes.

The 35-year-old photographer was accompanying a militia patrolling the Qaser Bin Ghashir area south of Tripoli when a shell hit him.

The journalism community in Libya mourned the death of the award-winnging journalist. He is survived by his wife and a five-month-old daughter.

“#Libya-n journalists continue to pay the ultimate price for merely doing the necessary work of journalism. Mohamed Ben Khalifa, a photographer and video journalist, was killed yesterday in #Tripoli’s Qasr bin Ghashir after being hit by shrapnel,” wrote The Libya Times on Twitter.

Ben Khalifa used to cover the Libyan clashes from the frontline and also the plights of migrants who venture to cross the perilous Mediterranean sea.

"RUPTLY was saddened to learn of the death of journalist @mbenkhalifaly who lost his life during clashes in Tripoli today. Over the past 3 years, he worked with us to deliver high-quality reports in difficult circumstances. We send our deepest condolences to his family," Ruptly said in a statement on Twitter.

Ben Khalifa is the 14th journalist killed in the line of duty in Libya. Data complied by the Committee to Protect Journalists' points out that most of these journalists were killed in the crossfire.

The current fighting in Libya broke out this week, breaching a shaky ceasefire brokered by the United Nations in September. The conflict killed 13 people and wounded more than 50, according to the Libyan Health Ministry.

Since the 2011 overthrow of long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has seen huge conflict. The UNHCR estimates at least 434,000 people have been internally displaced in the country by ongoing fighting. However, given that most agencies pulled out of Libya years ago, it is impossible for the UN to accurately account for the number of Libyans uprooted by violence and persecution.