In an unsettling turn of events, Libya’s capital witnessed a fierce clash between two powerful armed factions on Tuesday, marking the city’s most severe bout of violence this year. The conflict, which unfolded between the Special Deterrence Force and the 444 Brigade, has thrown districts across Tripoli into turmoil, shattering the fragile calm that had prevailed.
The catalyst for the violence was the detention of 444 Brigade commander Mahmoud Hamza by the Special Deterrence Force, which maintains control over Tripoli’s primary Mitiga airport. The situation escalated as Hamza’s attempt to travel was thwarted, eventually leading to his release on Tuesday evening, as confirmed by sources within both factions.
Despite the commander’s release, the echoes of battle still resonated through central Tripoli, casting a grim shadow over the city. Amid the chaos, the death toll from the clashes remains unclear, though a medical unit affiliated with the Defence Ministry reported the recovery of three bodies from various districts.
The Health Ministry urgently appealed for blood donations to aid the casualties, while the ambulance service spokesperson, Usama Ali, disclosed that 19 individuals had been wounded, and 26 families evacuated from areas deeply impacted by the strife.
Amidst the tumultuous sounds of heavy weaponry and the sight of dark smoke enveloping parts of the city, the United Nations envoy to Libya urgently called for an immediate end to the ongoing violence.
This battle between the 444 Brigade and the Special Deterrence Force disrupts a period of relative calm that had persisted in Tripoli for several months. Both factions had supported the interim Government of National Unity (GNU) during brief battles the previous year.
Libya’s history has been fraught with turmoil since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising, resulting in a split between warring eastern and western factions in 2014. While a 2020 ceasefire quelled major warfare, underlying tensions and armed factions with official backing continue to exert influence and control.
As the clashes in Tripoli revive a grim chapter, it’s a stark reminder of the ongoing fragility in the region. Despite various attempts to establish a lasting political resolution, tangible progress remains elusive. The persistence of armed factions wielding power underscores the complexities of Libya’s post-conflict reality.
While clashes earlier this year rocked the city of Zawiya, west of the capital, the Special Deterrence Force and the 444 Brigade have historically held key military positions in Tripoli. The latter’s commander, Mahmoud Hamza, has previously played a pivotal role in mediating tensions between various armed factions.
Amidst this strife, another significant armed faction in Tripoli, the Stabilisation Support Apparatus, refrained from participating in the clashes, according to a Reuters witness. Residents of various districts reported being jolted awake by the sounds of gunfire, while fighting was notably concentrated around Mitiga airport, leading to the diversion of flights to Misrata.
As the conflict’s toll unfolds, a Turkish defense ministry official expressed a cautious sense of calm, asserting that the security of Turkish troops remained uncompromised. It’s a tense reminder that beneath the surface of international involvement, Libya grapples with its own internal struggles for stability and peace.
