WASHINGTON – Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) issued the following statement after an airstrike on a migrant detention center in Libya killed more than 40 people:

“Attacking innocent migrants who are seeking a better life is nothing less than a war crime. I urge the U.S. to support an independent inquiry into who was responsible for this horrific crime. Migrants and refugees should be protected, not arbitrarily detained or subjected to violent attacks.

“The U.S. must unequivocally condemn this crime against humanity and the military offensive of Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar, who has vowed to overthrow the UN-recognized government in Tripoli. There is no military solution to the Libyan conflict. The best way to prevent further terrorist attacks is to reach a ceasefire and return to a political process. We must support the UN-led peace process in Libya. In the meantime, I urge the evacuation and protection of all remaining refugees in Libya.”

###