2025 Tripoli clashes

  1. Home
  2. Wiki

2025 Tripoli clashes
Part of the Libyan crisis
Date12 May 2025 – present
Location
Tripoli, Libya
Status

Ongoing

  • Ceasefire announced on 14 May[1]
  • Civil unrest and protests against the Dbeibah government.[2]
  • GNU appoints new head of Internal Security Agency.[3]
  • GNU disbands the Directorate for Combatting Illegal Migration.[3]
Belligerents

Government of National Unity

Stability Support Apparatus
Libya Shield Force		 Special Deterrence Forces
Commanders and leaders
Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh
Mahmoud Hamza[4]		 Abdel Ghani al-Kikli X Abdulrauf Kara
Casualties and losses
Unknown At least 1 militant killed[5] Unknown
At least 7 killed, 70+ wounded[6][5][7][1]
38 Maltese civilians evacuated[8]

On 12 May 2025, clashes broke out in Tripoli, Libya, between the 444th Infantry Brigade and the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA). The fighting began after SSA commander Abdel Ghani al-Kikli was assassinated. This is the first major armed clash in Tripoli since the 2023 Tripoli clashes.

On 14 May 2025, a ceasefire was announced with the fighting easing but still occurring.[9] Libya's defense ministry said the ceasefire began in all areas of tension in Tripoli as part of efforts "to protect civilians, preserve state institutions, and avoid further escalation."[10]

Clashes

[edit]

The clashes broke out at about 9:00 p.m. after the assassination of Stability Support Apparatus (SSA) commander Abdul Ghani al-Kikli, referred to as "Ghaniwa" and several of his escorts during a meeting reportedly convened to de-escalate mounting tensions among armed factions at the Tekbali military camp, but guards from rival rival group 444th Brigade exchanged fire outside of the gathering.[11][12]

444th Brigade fighters and their allies attacked the offices of SSA across Tripoli, seizing their assets and detaining dozens of SSA fighters. On May 14, more violent clashes occurred in densely populated neighbourhoods and places including Ras Hassan, at Al-Jaraba Street and the Al-Saqqa Mosque. The 444th Brigade reportedly took control of the Port of Tripoli, the Rajma headquarters, the al-Ruwaimi prison, Ain Zara, al-Jadidah and the headquarters of the Illegal Immigration Agency.[13] Prisoners escaped from the Al-Jadida prison, houses were attacked and people were robbed during the clashes.[14][15] Young men burned down Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh's house in Tripoli.[16] On May 15, an armed group linked to the Government of National Accord (GNA) opened fire on protesters demanding a ceasefire and the government's resignation, causing an unknown number of casualties. Earlier, unknown assailants attemped to assassinate Ali al-Jabbari, leader of an armed group affiliated with the GNA.[17] Residents reported heavy clashes and gunfire occurred at multiple places in Tripoli, with dozens of vehicles carrying militia fighters in the streets.[5] Videos showed military convoys from Misrata's Joint Force and Zintan-based units loyal to Interior Minister Imed Trabelsi moving toward Tripoli. Flights at Mitiga International Airport were suspended, schools were cancelled and districts were deserted.[18] Firefights were reported to be especially intense in the neighborhoods of Abu Salim and Salah Eddin.[12]

After the SSA suffered heavy damage by the 444th Brigade, more fighting broke out late May 13 and the early hours of May 14th between the RADA Special Deterrence Forces and the 444th Brigade.[19] Civilians reported hearing gunshots and explosions around midnight along with armed militant groups being deployed.[20] Militia groups from neighboring Zawiya reportedly joined the fighting in support of the Special Deterrence Forces.[1] Major fighting took place near the Al Jadida prison, where inmates were reported to have escaped during the fighting.[20] Authorities had announced a ceasefire May 14, although gunshots were still heard in western Tripoli.[1]

Once fighting had slowed, protests began in the RADA-controlled Souq el-Joumaa neighborhood, with more than 500 people expressing disdain with the Dbeibeh government.[21]

Reactions

[edit]

The interior ministry of the Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU) requested civilians shelter in place during the fighting for their own safety.[12] The GNU also said on its media platform that the Ministry of Defence had fully taken control of the Abu Salim neighbourhood.[22] The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) released a statement on 12 May that they were alarmed by the situation, commenting specifically on the intense fighting involving heavy weaponry in urban centers. They further called for an immediate ceasefire and urged both sides to protect civilians, additionally calling on community elders and leaders to de-escalate the situation.[23][24] Ibrahim al-Khalifi, the mayor of Tripoli, confirmed that gunfire had largely subsided by early Tuesday but said movement in many neighbourhoods remained halted.[18]

  • United Nations Mission: The mission in Libya urged calm amidst reports of escalating tensions in the capital, stating, "Reports indicate military mobilization and rising tensions in Tripoli and the western region in general." The mission called on all parties to de-escalate immediately.[25][26]
  • U.S. Embassy in Libya: The embassy joined the United Nations Support Mission in Libya in calling for calm.[27]
  • Turkish Embassy in Libya: The embassy advised its citizens residing in the capital, Tripoli, to exercise caution and issued an official notice urging them to adhere to the Ministry of Interior's advisory from the Government of National Unity to avoid leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary.[28]
  • Bangladeshi Embassy in Libya: The embassy urged its citizens in Libya to "take necessary precautions and stay at home due to the situation in the capital."[28]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Fresh gunbattles rock Libya capital after brief lull". France 24. 14 May 2025. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  2. ^ "Streetfight continues in Libiya: Protest errupts against the Dbeibah government". Wion. 15 May 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Libya: Government of National Unity must ensure militia leaders are held to account after outbreak of violence in Tripoli". Amnesty International. 13 May 2025.
  4. ^ "Dabaiba promotes 444 Brigade commander Hamza to Major General and Military Intelligence chief". Libya Security Monitor. 31 March 2024. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "A warlord and 6 other people killed as militia infighting rocks Libya's capital, officials say". CTV News. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  6. ^ "At least 6 people killed in Libya clashes". Apa.az.
  7. ^ "UN urges calm as heavy fire, clashes erupt in Libya's Tripoli". Al Jazeera. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  8. ^ https://timesofmalta.com/article/38-maltese-people-evacuated-libya-amid-worst-tripoli-clashes-years.1109754
  9. ^ "Libya fighting eases after announcement of truce". Reuters. 14 May 2025.
  10. ^ "Ceasefire starts in Libyan capital after renewed armed clashes". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  11. ^ Genn, James (13 May 2025). "Libya's Government of National Unity declares state of emergency". The Jerusalem Post. Reuters. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  12. ^ a b c "Armed clashes erupt in Libya's Tripoli after reported killing of armed group leader". Reuters. 12 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  13. ^ "اشتباكات عنيفة في طرابلس بين قوات الردع واللواء 444 قتال" [Violent clashes in Tripoli between the Deterrence Forces and the 444th Combat Brigade.] (in Arabic). Masrawy. 14 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  14. ^ "🔴 #عاجل أهالي #سوق_الجمعة يرفضون الهجوم على منازلهم وسرقة أرزاقهم كما حدث في #بوسليم" [🔴 #Urgent The people of #Souq_Al_Juma refuse the attack on their homes and the theft of their livelihoods as happened in #Bouslim] (in Arabic). Almasar TV. 14 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  15. ^ "مشاهد فرار السجناء من سجن الجديدة بعد تصاعد وتيرة الاشتـ،ـباكات بين التشكيلات المسـ،ـلحة" [Scenes of prisoners escaping from Al-Jadida prison after the escalation of clashes between armed groups.] (in Arabic). Almasar TV. 14 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  16. ^ "شبان #سوق_الجمعة يحرقون منزل #الدبيبة في #طرابلس" [Young men #سوق_الجمعة burn down #الدبيبة s house in #طرابلس] (in Arabic). Almasar TV. 14 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  17. ^ "À Tripoli, un groupe armé lié au GUN ouvre le feu sur des manifestants" [In Tripoli, an armed group linked to the GNA opens fire on protesters] (in French). African Initiative. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  18. ^ a b "Killing of Libya militia leader sparks violent clashes in Tripoli". The New Arab. 13 May 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  19. ^ Herald, Maltese (14 May 2025). "Clashes escalate in Tripoli as Government of National Unity clamps down on rival factions". The Maltese Herald. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  20. ^ a b "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  21. ^ "Streetfight continues in Libiya: Protest errupts against the Dbeibah government". Wion. 15 May 2025.
  22. ^ "Heavy gunfire, clashes in Libya's Tripoli after killing of militia leader". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  23. ^ @UNSMILibya (12 May 2025). "UNSMIL urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid escalation in Tripoli. The Mission is deeply concerned about the ongoing clashes and their impact on civilians" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 May 2025 – via Twitter.
  24. ^ Singh, Satyam (13 May 2025). "Watch: Armed clashes erupt in Tripoli after reported killing of Libya's SSA head". India Today. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  25. ^ "Heavy gunfire, clashes in Libya's Tripoli after killing of militia leader". Aljazeera.com. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  26. ^ "عودة الهدوء إلى طرابلس بعد اشتباكات أودت بحياة عسكريين منهم ضابط كبير". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  27. ^ "قبل ساعات من مقتل الككلي.. ماذا حدث في طرابلس؟". سكاي نيوز عربية (in Arabic). Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  28. ^ a b الأحرار, ليبيا (12 May 2025). "تحسباً للتوترات الأمنية.. سفارتا تركيا وبنغلاديش تحثان رعاياهما في طرابلس على البقاء بمنازلهم". ليبيا الأحرار (in Arabic). Retrieved 13 May 2025.