Tripoli: The United Nations has issued a strong plea for de-escalation in the Libyan capital after violent clashes erupted between rival armed groups late Monday, following the reported killing of prominent militia commander Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, also known as “Gheniwa.”
Fierce gun battles broke out in the southern districts of Tripoli around 9 p.m. local time, with residents describing scenes of chaos, including heavy gunfire, explosions, and armed convoys entering the city.
Eyewitnesses from areas like Abu Salim and Salah Eddin reported intense fighting and visible plumes of smoke, while videos circulating online confirmed medium-calibre weapon fire across neighbourhoods controlled by the Stability Support Authority (SSA), the group formerly led by Gheniwa.
Gheniwa, one of Tripoli’s most powerful militia leaders, was at the center of long-standing tensions with rival factions, particularly armed groups linked to the city of Misrata. His SSA operates under the Presidential Council, part of the UN-backed Government of National Unity (GNU) led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, established in 2021.
In a statement released shortly after the violence began, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed deep concern over the fighting, condemning the use of heavy weaponry in densely populated urban areas. The UN urged all sides to halt hostilities immediately and emphasized the importance of safeguarding civilians. The mission also backed mediation efforts by local elders and community leaders.
As the violence escalated, the GNU imposed an emergency lockdown across Tripoli. The Ministry of Internal Affairs urged residents to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary movement. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education suspended all schools in the capital, citing ongoing security concerns.
The GNU's official media channel later reported that government forces had regained control of the volatile Abu Salim district, a key battleground in the unfolding crisis.
According to local reports, suspicious military movements were observed, with armed convoys arriving from Zintan, Az-Zawiyah, and Misrata—raising fears of a broader conflict brewing in the capital.
Libya remains deeply fragmented since the 2011 NATO-led intervention that ousted longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi. The nation continues to be divided between rival administrations and dominated by competing militias, often backed by foreign powers vying for influence in the oil-rich country.
[Human Online, Reuters, Al Jazeera]
