Tripoli PM urges ceasefire after 45 killed

author: FutureCar Staff    

Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, one of Libya's rival prime ministers, expressed his strong opposition to further militia fighting, emphasizing that his government will not tolerate it. This statement comes after a recent outbreak of clashes in Tripoli, resulting in the deaths of at least 45 people, making it the bloodiest incident this year.

The violence erupted when the 444 brigade and the Special Deterrence Force clashed on Monday. According to local media, the conflict began after the rival group detained Mahmoud Hamza, a senior commander of the 444 brigade, at an airport in Tripoli.

However, on Wednesday, Hamza was released and returned to his militia's headquarters, as shown in footage aired by Libyan media. In a televised speech accompanied by tribal elders from eastern Tripoli, Dbeibah stated, "We are used to the sound of clashes, but [coming near] civilians is forbidden."

During his speech, which lasted 45 minutes, the Tripoli-based prime minister also issued a warning of "other measures" that could be taken against the two militia groups if the fighting escalated. However, he did not provide any further details regarding these measures. It remains unclear what role Dbeibah and his government played in securing Hamza's release.

Following the clashes, the Tripoli-based interior ministry announced an increase in the presence of security forces in the neighborhoods most affected by the violence. Additionally, a situation room was established to monitor the situation. As of Wednesday, the city had returned to a tentative calm.

The death toll from the clashes has risen to 45, with an additional 146 people injured, according to Malek Merset, the spokesperson for Libya's Emergency Medicine and Support Center. It is uncertain how many of the fatalities were civilians.

This recent violence highlights the fragile state of Libya, which has been plagued by conflict since the 2011 uprising that led to the ousting and death of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi. The country has been divided between rival administrations in Tripoli and Sirte since 2014, each supported by different militias and foreign governments. Numerous international efforts to reconcile the rival governments have failed.

During this time, militia groups, particularly in Tripoli and the west of the country, have gained significant wealth and power. Many of these groups engage in activities such as kidnapping and involvement in the profitable human trafficking trade.

The 444 brigade and the Special Deterrence Force are among the largest militias operating in Tripoli. In May 2022, both militias joined forces to prevent a former rival prime minister from the east from entering the capital.

FutureCar Staff