Deadly clashes broke out Saturday in Libya’s Capital between militias backed by its two rival administrations, portending a return to violence amid a long political stalemate.

According to the Health Ministry, at least 23 people were killed and 140 were injured. It went on to say that 64 families had been evacuated from areas near the Fighting.

The escalation threatens to destabilise Libya’s relative calm over the last two years. Following a NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed longtime autocrat Moammar Kadafi in 2011, the oil-rich country descended into chaos.

Mustafa Baraka, a comedian known for his social media videos mocking militias and corruption, was among those killed. According to Malek Merset, an emergency services spokesman, Baraka died after being shot in the chest.

Merset said emergency services were still attempting to evacuate wounded and civilians caught up in the fighting, which began overnight and continued into Saturday.

The Health Ministry said in a statement hospitals and medical centers in the capital were shelled, and ambulance teams were barred from evacuating civilians, in acts that “amount to war crimes.”

The municipal council of Tripoli blamed the ruling political class for the deteriorating situation in the capital, and urged the international community to “protect civilians in Libya.”

The violence caused widespread panic among Tripoli residents. Footage circulated online showed houses, government facilities and vehicles apparently damaged by the fighting. Other footage showed militia forces deploying and heavy fire being exchanged across the night sky.

The U.N. mission in Libya said the fighting involved “indiscriminate medium and heavy shelling in civilian-populated neighborhoods” of Tripoli.

The government of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, based in Tripoli, claimed the clashes erupted when one militia fired on another.

The fighting, however, is most likely part of an ongoing power struggle between Dbeibah and his rival, Prime Minister Fathy Bashagha, who is based in Sirte on the coast.

Both Dbeibah and Bashagha are backed by militias, with the latter recently mobilising to try to enter Tripoli and depose his rival.

Bashagha’s attempt to install his government in Tripoli in May sparked clashes that resulted in his withdrawal from the capital.

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US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland urged de-escalation “before things get worse” and for Libyan parties to agree on a date for elections as soon as possible.