Violence erupted in Libya’s capital as two powerful armed factions clashed, marking the city’s most severe violence this year. The conflict subsided after one of the factions released a detained commander whose arrest had triggered the fighting.
The clashes, occurring late on Monday and continuing into Tuesday, resulted in a death toll of 55 and left 146 injured, according to the spokesperson of Tripoli’s Emergency Medicine and Support Centre.
The Special Deterrence Force and the 444 Brigade, both strong military forces in Tripoli, engaged in the conflict, causing disturbances across various districts.
While these factions had previously supported the interim Government of National Unity (GNU) during brief battles, this sudden eruption of fighting shattered months of relative calm in Tripoli. The ongoing conflict underscores the risks of a situation that remains unresolved.
Libya has experienced ongoing instability since a NATO-backed uprising in 2011, leading to a split between warring eastern and western factions in 2014. Despite a ceasefire in 2020 following an eastern forces assault on Tripoli, little progress has been made toward a lasting political solution.
The clashes began when the Special Deterrence Force detained 444 Brigade commander Mahmoud Hamza as he attempted to travel. The conflict paused following an agreement for Hamza’s release and for fighters to return to their bases. Mitiga airport, a Turkish military presence, was affected by the fighting, diverting flights to Misrata.
The situation highlights the fragility of Libya’s security and the continuing influence of armed factions, even as international efforts to stabilize the region persist.
