The city of Sirte, controlled by Haftar's militia, has been witnessing tension and skirmishes lately, mainly between members from the Qadhadfa tribe and forces affiliated with Haftar.

Sources from the city said that clashes erupted between the two sides after Haftar's gunmen killed a young man from the Qadhadfa tribe in the city.

Haftar's militias had allegedly run the man over with an armored vehicle while cracking down a demonstration in support of Saif, the son of dictator Muammar Gaddafi, according to the same sources.

After this incident, the relatives of the victim clashed with Haftar's forces, which opened fire in response and arrested a number of them.

In light of these dramatic events, Haftar's militias cut off communications and internet services in the city and carried out a widespread campaign of arrests, most of which targeted members of the Qadhadfa tribe.