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Tawergha: The Mirror-Image of Libya's Chaos

Published December 20th, 2020 - 08:11 GMT

Tawergha, about 200 kilometers east of the capital Tripoli, is close to the port city of Misrata.

Now, almost a decade after militia forces rampaged through the town of Tawergha, torching homes, destroying buildings, and leaving farms in ruins, the people are coming home. Around a third of the original population of the town has returned.

People are trickling back to Tawergha after years of living in makeshift tent camps, to try to turn the page on a brutal chapter of their lives.

At the end of the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted and killed Kadhafi, Tawergha endured brutal reprisal attacks by fighters from Misrata.

Tawergha's infrastructure was devastated, buildings are gutted and the streets full of potholes. People know that stability will not return unless there is a strong and united state.

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A boy rides behind another on a bicycle along a road past destroyed buildings in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buil

A boy rides behind another on a bicycle along a road past destroyed buildings in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP

Youths play table football (foosball) outside by abandoned buildings, with graffiti nearby reading in Arabic "this zone has been cleared of the remains of war", in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade l

Youths play table football (foosball) outside by abandoned buildings, with graffiti nearby reading in Arabic "this zone has been cleared of the remains of war", in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP

Youths play table football (foosball) outside by abandoned buildings, with graffiti nearby reading in Arabic "this zone has been cleared of the remains of war", in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade l

Youths play table football (foosball) outside by abandoned buildings, with graffiti nearby reading in Arabic "this zone has been cleared of the remains of war", in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP

Mahmud Abu al-Habel, a 70-year-old resident of Tawergha who was among the first who returned to the city after fleeing in the aftermath of the toppling of Kadhafi, stands outside a damaged house with a boy in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 resident

Mahmud Abu al-Habel, a 70-year-old resident of Tawergha who was among the first who returned to the city after fleeing in the aftermath of the toppling of Kadhafi, stands outside a damaged house with a boy in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Abu al-Habel, accused of being a staunch supporter of Kadhafi, was forced to flee Tawergha along with 26 members of his family. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP

Produce vendors sit by their fruit and vegetable merchandise in the open in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings

Produce vendors sit by their fruit and vegetable merchandise in the open in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP

People inspect palm wicker products on display, made by Haleema Mohamed, one of the residents who returned to the city of Tawergha after fleeing in the aftermath of the toppling of Kadhafi, sits making palm wicker products at a home in Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose

People inspect palm wicker products on display, made by Haleema Mohamed, one of the residents who returned to the city of Tawergha after fleeing in the aftermath of the toppling of Kadhafi, sits making palm wicker products at a home in Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP

A man inspects palm wicker products on display, made by Haleema Mohamed, one of the residents who returned to the city of Tawergha after fleeing in the aftermath of the toppling of Kadhafi, sits making palm wicker products at a home in Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose

A man inspects palm wicker products on display, made by Haleema Mohamed, one of the residents who returned to the city of Tawergha after fleeing in the aftermath of the toppling of Kadhafi, sits making palm wicker products at a home in Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP

A man walks near a laundry clothing line hanging in the open by a building in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildin

A man walks near a laundry clothing line hanging in the open by a building in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP

A youth climbs the rubble of a destroyed building in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in r

A youth climbs the rubble of a destroyed building in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP

A boy rides behind another on a bicycle along a road past destroyed buildings in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buil
Youths play table football (foosball) outside by abandoned buildings, with graffiti nearby reading in Arabic "this zone has been cleared of the remains of war", in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade l
Youths play table football (foosball) outside by abandoned buildings, with graffiti nearby reading in Arabic "this zone has been cleared of the remains of war", in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade l
Mahmud Abu al-Habel, a 70-year-old resident of Tawergha who was among the first who returned to the city after fleeing in the aftermath of the toppling of Kadhafi, stands outside a damaged house with a boy in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 resident
Produce vendors sit by their fruit and vegetable merchandise in the open in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings
People inspect palm wicker products on display, made by Haleema Mohamed, one of the residents who returned to the city of Tawergha after fleeing in the aftermath of the toppling of Kadhafi, sits making palm wicker products at a home in Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose
A man inspects palm wicker products on display, made by Haleema Mohamed, one of the residents who returned to the city of Tawergha after fleeing in the aftermath of the toppling of Kadhafi, sits making palm wicker products at a home in Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose
A man walks near a laundry clothing line hanging in the open by a building in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildin
A youth climbs the rubble of a destroyed building in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in r
A boy rides behind another on a bicycle along a road past destroyed buildings in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buil
A boy rides behind another on a bicycle along a road past destroyed buildings in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP
Youths play table football (foosball) outside by abandoned buildings, with graffiti nearby reading in Arabic "this zone has been cleared of the remains of war", in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade l
Youths play table football (foosball) outside by abandoned buildings, with graffiti nearby reading in Arabic "this zone has been cleared of the remains of war", in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP
Youths play table football (foosball) outside by abandoned buildings, with graffiti nearby reading in Arabic "this zone has been cleared of the remains of war", in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade l
Youths play table football (foosball) outside by abandoned buildings, with graffiti nearby reading in Arabic "this zone has been cleared of the remains of war", in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP
Mahmud Abu al-Habel, a 70-year-old resident of Tawergha who was among the first who returned to the city after fleeing in the aftermath of the toppling of Kadhafi, stands outside a damaged house with a boy in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 resident
Mahmud Abu al-Habel, a 70-year-old resident of Tawergha who was among the first who returned to the city after fleeing in the aftermath of the toppling of Kadhafi, stands outside a damaged house with a boy in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Abu al-Habel, accused of being a staunch supporter of Kadhafi, was forced to flee Tawergha along with 26 members of his family. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP
Produce vendors sit by their fruit and vegetable merchandise in the open in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings
Produce vendors sit by their fruit and vegetable merchandise in the open in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP
People inspect palm wicker products on display, made by Haleema Mohamed, one of the residents who returned to the city of Tawergha after fleeing in the aftermath of the toppling of Kadhafi, sits making palm wicker products at a home in Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose
People inspect palm wicker products on display, made by Haleema Mohamed, one of the residents who returned to the city of Tawergha after fleeing in the aftermath of the toppling of Kadhafi, sits making palm wicker products at a home in Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP
A man inspects palm wicker products on display, made by Haleema Mohamed, one of the residents who returned to the city of Tawergha after fleeing in the aftermath of the toppling of Kadhafi, sits making palm wicker products at a home in Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose
A man inspects palm wicker products on display, made by Haleema Mohamed, one of the residents who returned to the city of Tawergha after fleeing in the aftermath of the toppling of Kadhafi, sits making palm wicker products at a home in Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP
A man walks near a laundry clothing line hanging in the open by a building in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildin
A man walks near a laundry clothing line hanging in the open by a building in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP
A youth climbs the rubble of a destroyed building in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in r
A youth climbs the rubble of a destroyed building in the city of Tawergha, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of Libya's capital close to the port city of Misrata, on December 12, 2020. When Libyan dictator Moamer Kadhafi was toppled, people took revenge on those they saw as his supporters -- including the entire town of Tawergha, whose 40,000 residents were forced to flee. Now, almost a decade later since militia forces rampaged through the town torching homes, destroying buildings and leaving farms in ruins, the people of Tawergha are coming home after years living in makeshift tent camps. Mahmud TURKIA / AFP

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