TRIPOLI: A tentative truce has been established in the Libyan capital of Tripoli following violent clashes between two prominent armed groups, the 444 Brigade and the Al-Radaa, which left 27 people dead and 106 wounded. The confrontation between these factions, both aligned with Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah’s government, erupted on Monday night and persisted through Tuesday, highlighting the ongoing struggle for power and stability in the country.
As the conflict unfolded, a total of 234 families were evacuated from areas on the frontline in the southern suburbs of the capital. Additionally, dozens of medical professionals who were caring for the wounded became trapped in the crossfire, prompting their evacuation. The Emergency Medicine Centre reported that three field hospitals and around 60 ambulances were deployed to address the dire situation.
Triggering Incident and Ceasefire Agreement in Tripoli
The clashes were sparked by the detention of Colonel Mahmud Hamza, the head of the 444 Brigade, by the rival Al-Radaa Force on Monday. However, a breakthrough was achieved when the social council in the suburb of Soug el-Joumaa, a stronghold of the Al-Radaa force, announced an agreement with Prime Minister Dbeibah. The agreement stipulated that Hamza would be handed over to a “neutral party,” and a subsequent ceasefire was established, effectively quelling the violence.
Prime Minister Dbeibah personally assessed the aftermath of the conflict in the heavily affected Ain Zara neighborhood. He witnessed the extent of the damage and instructed a comprehensive survey to be conducted for compensating affected residents.
In a sign of gradual stabilization, the capital’s civilian airport, Mitiga, situated in an area under the control of Al-Radaa, reopened for commercial flights. The airport had been temporarily closed, with flights diverted to Misrata, approximately 180 kilometers (110 miles) to the east, due to the escalating hostilities.
International Concern and Local Accountability
The United Nations Mission in Libya expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation and its impact on civilians. Human Rights Watch and experts in Libyan affairs voiced outrage over the continued use of heavy weaponry in residential areas by armed groups, emphasizing the need for accountability.
Libya remains divided between rival administrations, with Dbeibah’s UN-backed government in the west and a separate entity in the east led by military figure Khalifa Haftar. The recent clashes underscore the challenges facing the nation’s stability and the persistent role of armed militias.
