Fierce clashes between rival armed groups broke out on Monday night in the Libyan capital Tripoli, forcing the Interior Ministry to appeal to residents to stay indoors.
Sporadic heavy and medium-caliber gunfire was heard in areas of the capital after 21:00 p.m. (local time; 22:00 p.m. Greek time), AFP journalists reported.
Libya's Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) declared a state of emergency on Monday night, according to local media.
This followed clashes between the 444th Brigade and the Stability Support Service (SSA) following the assassination of SSA Commander Abdel Ghani al-Kiqli, also known as “Gneiwa.” The 444th Brigade was allegedly responsible for al-Kiqli’s assassination.
Without giving details, the Ministry of Interior of the Government of National Unity (GNU), based in Tripoli, called in a statement "all citizens to remain in their homes for their safety."
According to Libyan media, the clashes, which are taking place in southern sectors of the city, broke out between armed groups from Tripoli and opponents from Misrata, a large city and port about 200 kilometers east of the capital.
Libya is struggling to turn the page on the years of war and chaos that followed the 2011 uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. It remains divided, with a UN-recognized government in Tripoli and a rival government in the east of the country, close to the family of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
Although there has been – comparatively – more stability in recent years, conflicts periodically erupt between some of the myriad armed groups present in the North African country, in the context of struggles for power or for zones of influence.
In August 2023, clashes between two powerful armed groups in Tripoli claimed the lives of at least 55 people.
Last night, many municipalities in the Libyan capital and its suburbs, as well as the University of Libya, announced that educational institutions would not operate today and until further notice.
Earlier, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the US embassy in Tripoli appealed for calm, urging "all parties" to "de-escalate", "refrain from any provocation" and "resolve their differences through dialogue".
Source: protothema.gr
