Violence flared again in Tripoli late on Tuesday, despite authorities declaring an end to military operations
Armed clashes erupted overnight in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, less than 24 hours after the North African country’s internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) declared it had completed military operations and restored stability in the city.
Fighting resumed late on Tuesday and reportedly continued into Wednesday, with gunfire and explosions heard in several neighborhoods. Eyewitnesses cited by local media said militias were seen mobilizing along major roads, including the Al-Shat highway, the Fashloum roundabout, and near Mitiga airport, which was forced to suspend operations.
Libya remains divided between rival factions and has seen repeated eruptions of violence since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted Muammar Gaddafi.
The latest tensions followed the assassination of Abdulghani al-Kikli, widely known as Ghaniwa, head of the government-affiliated Stability Support Apparatus (SSA). He was reportedly shot in southern Tripoli on Monday. Armed factions aligned with Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah are said to have quickly overrun SSA positions in Abu Salim and other districts following the incident.
JUST IN: Deadly clashes in #Tripoli, capital city of #Libya is being continued. In fact, various militia groups fighting each other for power. These clashes are between Rada and militants of the Libyan Government of National Unity. The situation is very hostile and getting worse. pic.twitter.com/nh065bMF4L
On Tuesday, the Defense Ministry announced it had regained full control of targeted areas. Hours later, however, clashes resumed between pro-government units and forces affiliated with the militia group Special Deterrence Force (Rada), according to local daily Libya Herald.
The Defense Ministry issued a statement on Wednesday, announcing a “ceasefire in all axes of tension inside the capital” aimed to “protect civilians, preserve state institutions, and avoid further escalation.” It said neutral units have been deployed to calm flashpoints.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) earlier condemned the “accelerated escalation of violence in Tripoli” and troop mobilizations reported in other parts of the country, warning that the situation “may quickly spiral out of control.”
The mission expressed “deep concern” over reports of civilian casualties and reiterated its call for “an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in all regions,” urging the opening of safe corridors to evacuate civilians stranded in high-conflict areas.
Speaking to RT, Tamara Ryzhenkova, a senior lecturer at the Department of History of the Middle East at St. Petersburg State University, said Ghaniwa’s death is not the sole reason for the renewed violence, as armed clashes are “unfortunately common in the western part of the country.” However, “the setback of his group could contribute to centralization of power, however fragile it might be.”
Libyan author and award-winning journalist Mustafa Fetouri told RT that while the fresh clashes were triggered by the murder of Ghaniwa, who had grown “too powerful” and extended his influence beyond security, “it all boils down to militias competing with each other for power and money.”
The expert warned that Ghaniwa’s death “will not bring any long-term peace to the capital but could actually make things worse despite GNU announced ceasefire across the capital.”
