Libya's Turmoil Intensifies as Militia Leader Dies Amid Clashes
The recent death of Abdel Ghani al Kikli, renowned as Gheniwa and head of the powerful Stability Support Apparatus (SSA), marks a significant turning point in the escalating conflict within Tripoli, Libya. Al Kikli died during violent clashes between armed factions on Monday, igniting a fresh wave of turmoil in a country still grappling with instability.
On the night of the incident, Tripoli was rocked by a series of intense armed confrontations characterized by heavy gunfire and artillery blasts. The alarming situation forced the evacuation of nearby areas, including those around the airport, and prompted educational institutions to suspend classes for the following day.
In a statement reflecting the community's grief and outrage, the Al Ahli Tripoli football club, where Al Kikli served as honorary president, condemned his death, branding it a 'betrayal.' The club publicly accused both the leaders of rival armed brigades and Prime Minister Abdulhamid Debeiba of the Government of National Unity (GNU) of complicity in what they deemed a murder.
Details surrounding the clashes remain murky; however, they primarily unfolded in the Abu Salim and Mashrou areas, which are currently controlled by Al Kikli's militia. The GNU Ministry of Defense announced shortly afterward that it had regained control over Abu Salim, which served as the SSA headquarters.
In response to the escalating violence, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), which had already issued warnings about military mobilization in Tripoli, urged all involved parties to cease hostilities immediately. The UN also stressed that attacks targeting civilians could lead to war crimes.
Amidst the chaos, the Emergency and Ambulance Service heightened its alert status, activating central operations and appealing for support from surrounding areas to assist emergency teams in Tripoli.
In a joint statement, thirteen members of Parliament from the eastern region voiced profound concern regarding the military escalation in Tripoli, which they fear could threaten civilian safety and the overall stability of the country. They lamented the transformed state of the capital, with armed groups clashing for control of vital state institutions and public funds.
The MPs underlined the concerning presence of military reinforcements in Tripoli and the ongoing exchange of gunfire as direct threats to security and societal peace, indicative of the political consensus process's failure.
After more than three hours of relentless fighting, the GNU Ministry of Defense confirmed its control over the Abu Salim area, marking a potential turning point in the conflict. By midnight, calm appeared to settle over the capital, although the University Hospital of Tripoli reported injuries to five civilians, with one requiring surgery. Additionally, the Ambulance and Emergency Department announced a safe route was established in the Al Sidra area, allowing for the evacuation of ten foreign workers following a nearby projectile impact.
As Libya mourns the loss of a significant figure in its militia landscape, the nation teeters on the brink of further violence and instability. The call for peace and government accountability grows more urgent as citizens and leaders alike confront the realities of their ongoing struggle for control and security.
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