TRIPOLI, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The Libyan Red Crescent on Wednesday called on the people of the eastern city of Darna not to leave their homes until a safe passage is secured from the military action areas.
"We call on the people in the areas of the clashes in Darna not to leave their homes or to be in the facades and roofs of their houses, until we can provide a safe passage for them to get out," the Red Crescent said in a statement.
"Safe passages for stranded families in the sites of clashes will be announced soon," the statement said.
Humanitarian Coordinator for the UN Support Mission in Libya Maria Ribeiro on Tuesday called for "humanitarian pause to allow life-saving humanitarian goods into the city and allow people to stock up on supplies."
The eastern-based army, led by General Khalifa Haftar, is launching a military operation to take over Darna from the militants who control the coastal city.
The army has besieged Darna since 2015, demanding that the Shura Council (Consultative Council) of the Mujahideen in Darna, a coalition of Islamist militias, leave.
The army accused the armed group of being loyal to al-Qaida.
On the other hand, Field Army Commander Saeed Wanis said that the army "managed to take control of new sites and areas in Darna on Wednesday, and captured 30 terrorists."
