Fighters from forces of the UN-backed Libyan government are seen during clashes with Libyan National Army (LNA) troops at the Al-Yarmook frontline in Tripoli, Libya, on May 9.

Amru Salahuddien/Xinhua via ZUMA Wire

In pictures: Battle in Tripoli as death toll rises in Libya

Updated 5:46 AM ET, Fri May 10, 2019

Fighters from forces of the UN-backed Libyan government are seen during clashes with Libyan National Army (LNA) troops at the Al-Yarmook frontline in Tripoli, Libya, on May 9.

Amru Salahuddien/Xinhua via ZUMA Wire

A renegade Libyan military strongman has ordered troops to advance on capital city Tripoli, the base of the country's United Nations-backed government.

Eight years after the fall of strongman leader Moammar Gadhafi, the North African country is mired in violence and split into rival administrations. The administration of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, in eastern Libya, is often at odds with the Western-backed Government of National Accord based in Tripoli.

Hundreds of people have been killed and more than 2,000 injured in clashes around the city this month, according to the World Health Organization.

A fighter from forces of the UN-backed Libyan government is seen in Salah Al-Din frontline, Tripoli, Libya, May 6.

Amru Salahuddien/Xinhua via ZUMA Wire

Libyans hold a demonstration at Martyrs' Square against military operations by forces loyal to Haftar in Tripoli on Friday, May 3.

Hazaem Ahmed/AP

Fighters loyal to the Government of National Accord run for cover during clashes with forces loyal to Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar south of the Tripoli suburb of Ain Zara on April 25.

Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images

A fighter loyal to the internationally recognized Government of National Accord stands on a rooftop as smoke rises in the distance during clashes with forces loyal to Haftar in Espiaa, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Tripoli, on April 29.

FADEL SENNA/AFP/Getty Images

Fighters loyal to the Government of National Accord get into position during clashes with forces loyal to Haftar in Ain Zara, Triploli, on April 25.

Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images

Libyans pray by the bodies of fighters loyal to the Government of National Accord during their funeral in Tripoli on April 24.

Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images

Libyans gather during the funeral of fighters loyal to the Government of National Accord in Tripoli on April 24.

Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images

Members of Libya's internationally recognized government forces fire during fighting with Haftar's forces in Ain Zara on April 20.

Hani Amara/Reuters

A Libyan fighter loyal to the Government of National Accord fires a rocket propelled grenade during clashes with forces loyal to Haftar south of Ain Zara, on April 20.