Clashes between rival armed groups in the Tajoura neighbourhood, east of the Libyan capital Tripoli, killed nine people on Friday, according to sources quoted by Al Jazeera.

“The death toll in the clashes has reached nine,” the ambulance and rescue service said in a statement. It also posted photos of its members recovering the bodies of victims from various locations in Tajoura.

A source in the Tripoli Security Directorate told AFP that “the clashes took place between members of the ‘Rahbet al-Darra’ battalion and members of the ‘Martyr Sabriya’ battalion after skirmishes and a dispute that developed into an exchange of fire and the use of medium weapons.

The source noted that the clashes stopped and elements from both sides withdrew, confirming that they left behind dead and wounded.

The Libyan authorities have not issued any explanation for the clashes.