CAIRO โ Violent clashes between heavily armed militias have erupted in Tripoli, the capital of Libya, following the assassination of a prominent warlord. Official sources reported that at least six individuals lost their lives in the ensuing chaos.
Fierce fighting, characterized by the use of heavy weapons, shook the city from Monday evening into the early hours of Tuesday, particularly centered in the southern Tripoli neighborhood of Abu Salim.
The violence was triggered by the killing of Abdel-Ghani al-Kikli, leader of the Stabilization Support Authority (SSA), a collective of militias with substantial influence in western Libya. Over the past decade, this group has faced accusations from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, of committing war crimes and severe rights violations.
Al-Kikli, known by the alias โGheniwa,โ was killed by a rival faction inside a facility under the control of the 444 Brigade, an armed group led by Mahmoud Hamza, who is aligned with Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. In retaliation, Hamzaโs forces, along with their allies, targeted SSA offices throughout the capital, confiscating assets and detaining numerous SSA fighters.
According to a statement from the Health Ministryโs Ambulance and Emergency Services, six fatalities were confirmed in the vicinity of Abu Salim, where SSA had a significant presence. Emergency workers assisted in evacuating families caught in the crossfire.
Residents described intense gunfire and explosions in various parts of the city, with numerous vehicles ferrying militia fighters through the streets. โIt was a nightmare,โ said Ahmed Ammer, a city center resident, reflecting how the clashes evoked memories of the civil war that followed the 2011 overthrow and killing of Moammar Gadhafi.
Though the violence subsided by early Tuesday morning, tensions remain high as military personnel continue to patrol the streets. Educational institutions, including schools and the University of Tripoli, announced the suspension of classes and examinations due to security concerns.
In a social media update early Tuesday, Prime Minister Dbeibahโs government announced the successful completion of a military operation in Abu Salim, claiming control over the area but withholding additional specifics.
The United Nations mission in Libya expressed serious concern regarding the โintense fighting with heavy weaponry in densely populated civilian areas.โ Such actions, the mission warned, could be classified as war crimes if civilians and civilian targets are intentionally attacked.
This incident marks the latest surge of violence in the Mediterranean nation, which has been mired in chaos and fragmentation since 2011. During this time, armed groups have amassed considerable power, particularly in Tripoli and its western regions. Political discord continues to afflict Libya, which is divided between competing administrations โ Dbeibahโs government in the west, based in Tripoli, and Prime Minister Ossama Hammadโs government in the east, each with support from different armed factions and foreign allies.