Wafric News – May 12, 2025

Tripoli, Libya – Violent clashes have engulfed parts of Libya’s capital after the reported killing of a key militia commander, prompting urgent appeals for calm from both Libyan authorities and the United Nations.

The late-night eruption of gunfire and heavy weapons fire began Monday around 9pm local time, sending shockwaves through several southern districts of Tripoli. Residents described scenes of chaos, with explosions rocking neighbourhoods and armed groups taking positions in the streets.

According to local sources and WafricNews correspondents, the violence was sparked by the death of Abdel Ghani al-Kikli—known widely as “Gheniwa”—the leader of the Stability Support Authority (SSA), one of Tripoli’s most powerful militias. His killing has triggered a fierce response from his loyalists and escalated tensions with rival groups.

Security officials have not confirmed the exact circumstances surrounding al-Kikli’s death, but his role in recent disputes with other armed factions—particularly those with links to Misrata—has raised concerns of a broader conflict brewing.

At least six people have reportedly been injured in the violence so far, though it remains unclear if they are civilians or security personnel. Eyewitnesses say many families were forced to flee their homes or shelter indoors as the fighting intensified overnight.

“There’s growing anger on the streets,” a local resident told WafricNews. “Every time militias fight, it’s us—the civilians—who pay the price. We want justice, we want accountability.”

Videos circulating on social media, some verified by independent fact-checkers, show armed convoys moving through city streets, plumes of smoke rising from impacted areas, and the sound of sustained gunfire echoing through densely populated neighbourhoods.

In an early Tuesday statement, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation. “We are alarmed by the use of heavy weaponry in civilian areas and call on all parties to cease hostilities immediately,” UNSMIL said.

The mission also backed ongoing mediation efforts led by local elders and community leaders, urging all factions to prioritise the safety and well-being of Tripoli’s residents.

Meanwhile, Libya’s Interior Ministry has called on citizens to remain indoors and limit movement. The Ministry of Education has ordered the closure of schools across Tripoli, citing the volatile conditions.

Witnesses have reported sightings of armed convoys entering Tripoli from surrounding towns including Az-Zawiyah, Zintan, and Misrata—raising fears of a potential escalation. Military sources describe the movements as “strategic deployments,” possibly foreshadowing further confrontations.

The fresh wave of violence is the latest in a string of clashes that reflect Libya’s deep-rooted instability since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that ousted longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi. The country remains divided between rival administrations in the east and west, each supported by competing militias and foreign actors.

As the situation continues to unfold, Tripoli remains tense, with residents bracing for what could be a prolonged period of unrest.


By WafricNews Desk.