Clashes erupted in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Monday evening and continued into Tuesday morning, following the assassination of a prominent warlord, Abdel-Ghani al-Kikli. Reports indicate that at least six people were killed during the fighting, which involved heavily armed militias and was centered in the Abu Salim neighborhood. Gunfire and explosions rang out across the city, leading to widespread chaos.
Al-Kikli, also known as "Gheniwa," was the commander of the Stabilization Support Authority (SSA), a coalition of militias that has become one of the most formidable groups in western Libya since the civil conflict began. His killing was reportedly orchestrated by a rival militia linked to the 444 Brigade, commanded by Mahmoud Hamza, a warlord with close ties to Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. Following Al-Kikli's death, Hamza's militia launched assaults on SSA offices throughout the capital, detaining numerous SSA fighters and seizing assets.
The Health Ministry's Ambulance and Emergency Services reported that at least six fatalities occurred in the Abu Salim region, which is recognized as an SSA stronghold. The ministry also noted that efforts were made to evacuate families trapped amidst the violence. Witnesses described the clashes as a "nightmare," reminiscent of the civil war that swept Libya after the overthrow of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011. Residents in the city center, such as Ahmed Ammer, expressed fears as the intense fighting unfolded around them.
Although hostilities subsided by early Tuesday morning, a tense atmosphere prevailed, with many armed fighters remaining visible in the streets. Both the Tripoli-based education ministry and the University of Tripoli announced the suspension of classes, exams, and administrative work until further notice due to the ongoing instability.
A statement from Dbeibah's government claimed that security forces conducted a military operation in Abu Salim, asserting control over the area, although no further details were disclosed. Meanwhile, the United Nations mission in Libya issued a statement expressing concern about the "intense fighting with heavy weaponry in densely populated civilian areas." The UN emphasized that such attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure could constitute war crimes.
This recent bout of violence is part of the ongoing strife in Libya, a nation characterized by lawlessness and division since 2011. For years, Libya has been split between rival administrations in the east and west, each supported by various armed factions and foreign entities. Presently, the country is under the governance of Dbeibah's administration in the west and Prime Minister Ossama Hammad's administration in the east, both of which are vying for control amidst the backdrop of growing militia influence and unrest.
