TRIPOLI: The death toll from fierce clashes between rival militias in the Libyan capital Tripoli has surged to 55, while 146 people have been wounded, according to Libya’s al-Ahrar TV citing the Emergency Medical Centre. The violence erupted between the influential 444 Brigade and the Special Deterrence Force, two of the numerous militias competing for control since the overthrow of former ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
The conflict was triggered by the detention of the 444 Brigade’s commander, Colonel Mahmud Hamza, by the rival Al-Radaa Force, leading to intensified confrontations that lasted through Monday and Tuesday. The situation escalated further with the reported involvement of civilians caught in the crossfire.
Tentative Truce Announced in Libyan Capital
A tentative truce was announced late Tuesday, following an agreement reached between the social council in the southeastern suburb of Soug el-Joumaa, a stronghold of the Al-Radaa force, and Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah. The ceasefire was predicated on the transfer of the detained commander to a “neutral party.”
The clashes have prompted concerns about the preservation of security gains achieved in recent years and the impact on civilians. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed its apprehension and called for all parties to engage in dialogue and prevent further escalation.
Libya has grappled with intermittent conflict since the NATO-backed uprising that led to Gaddafi’s ousting, and despite periods of relative stability, sporadic clashes have persisted. The ongoing violence has led to the closure of the Libyan capital’s civilian airport, Mitiga, and diverted flights to the eastern city of Misrata.
The international community, including the embassies of Britain, France, the European Union, and the United States, has echoed the UN’s call for de-escalation and a return to dialogue. The security situation adds to the complexities facing Libya, which remains divided between the UN-backed government in the west and a rival administration supported by military figure Khalifa Haftar in the east.
Elections in Libya, initially scheduled for December 2021, were indefinitely suspended due to disputes surrounding eligibility, while the UN continues its efforts to resolve underlying issues and restore stability.
