At least four children were killed after an airstrike hit a civilian area in southern Tripoli, Libya, the country's health ministry said on Monday.

Tripoli has been dogged by fighting since April as strongman General Khalifa Haftar battles to take over the capital from Government of National Accord forces allied to the United Nations-recognised Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the Sunday airstrike on the al-Sawani neighbourhood, located about 30 kilometers from the capital.

The health ministry also said that a fifth child was wounded in the attack.

Libya has been dogged by violence since 2011, following the ouster and death of former president Muammar Gaddafi.

The war has killed thousands and displaced millions as militant groups and human trafficking cells seek to impose their command in various regions across the country.

The UN has led calls for dialogue between the warring factions in order to stop the war and put the country on a recovery path.