Dozens of Corpses Found in Libyan Hospital After Clashes Between Rival Militias
At least 58 unidentified bodies have been found in a Tripoli hospital after recent clashes between rival militias in western Libya, according to local authorities.
Libya's interior ministry said investigations were underway to determine the identities of the bodies, 23 of which have so far been examined.
'All necessary legal procedures have been taken, including documenting data and collecting samples,' the ministry said in a statement.
The bodies were found on May 19 in a hospital controlled by a local militia whose leader was killed last week in an attack by a rival armed faction.
According to the interior ministry, the bodies were found in the Abu Salim Hospital, which is located in Tripoli's densely populated Abu Salim district.
Two days earlier, nine other unidentified bodies were found at the Al-Khadra Hospital in the same district, authorities said.
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Until recently, the Abu Salim district was largely controlled by an armed faction known as the Stabilization Support Apparatus (SSA).
On May 12, SSA leader Abdulghani Kikli, popularly known as Ghaniwa, was killed in Tripoli by a rival armed faction known as the 444th Brigade.
Simultaneously, SSA units elsewhere in western Libya were attacked and defeated by armed factions aligned with Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, leader of Libya's Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU).
The following day, fierce clashes erupted in Tripoli between local militias aligned with al-Dbeibah and the self-styled Special Deterrence Force, or 'Rada,' an armed faction opposed to the prime minister.
According to the United Nations, at least eight civilians were killed in the fighting.
After two days of clashes, Libya's defense ministry said that 'regular forces in coordination with the relevant security authorities' were taking 'the necessary measures to ensure calm, including the deployment of neutral units.'
The neutralization of the SSA appeared to consolidate the power of al-Dbeibah, Libya's internationally recognized prime minister and an ally of Turkey.
Like the GNU, the SSA had operated within the framework of a Presidential Council that came to power in 2021 through a political process backed by the U.N.
In the same year, scheduled elections failed to take place due to ongoing differences between rival factions, allowing al-Dbeibah to remain in power.
Libyan protesters gather in Martyrs' Square to call for the resignation of the national unity government, in Tripoli, Libya, on May 16, 2025.
AFP via Getty Images
Calls for Prime Minister to Resign
On May 16, three GNU ministers abruptly resigned after hundreds of protesters gathered in Tripoli's Martyrs' Square to demand al-Dbeibah's resignation and fresh elections.
Demonstrators accused al-Dbeibah of failing to restore calm to the capital and curtail the power and influence of armed factions.
On the same day, the U.N.'s Mission in Libya expressed concern about ongoing violence, urging all parties to ensure the safety of Tripoli's civilian population.
In a televised address on May 17, al-Dbeibah said the elimination of armed groups operating outside state control was an 'ongoing project.'
'We will not spare anyone who continues to engage in corruption or extortion,' he said. 'Our goal is to create a Libya free of militias and corruption.'
In a statement released on May 18, al-Dbeibah's office reiterated that the GNU sought to 'eliminate armed formations outside the police and army institutions.'
Libya has remained in a state of relative turmoil since 2011, when a NATO-backed uprising led to the ouster and death of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.
In 2014, the country was divided between two rival political forces, with the Tripoli-based GNU ruling western Libya—despite internal divisions—and veteran army commander Khalifa Haftar holding sway in the country's east.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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In this political genocide, Assad murdered close to a million of his own people — Christians, Muslims, Kurds and Druze alike, regardless of religion — all while using military aid and financial support from Russia and Iran. With Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Iranian activities being curtailed through sanctions and the degradation of their terrorist proxies, support that had been vital to Assad's reign dissipated. He was ultimately forced to flee to Russia as rebel forces advanced, although he regrettably was able to pilfer additional billions from the nation's coffers on his way out the door. During our visit, we witnessed the devastated Syrian economy, where cash is almost worthless and credit cards are not accepted. Open-air markets resort to basic barter and trade for items like clothing and necessities, which are laid out next to rubble. With no functioning gas stations, young men with large hand-held jugs stand along the road to fill vehicles for a price negotiated on the spot. Despite this, the spirit of the Syrian people is not broken. Banners reading 'Make Syria Great Again' were displayed along the roads, sending messages of hope for the first time in decades. We heard nothing but admiration for President Trump and his administration — most notably for his decision to stop the bombing of Idlib in 2019. We then met individually with Syria's new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, well aware of his previous history as a Syrian Al-Qaeda member, though having cut ties in 2016. However, contrary to his biography, the actions al-Sharaa has taken to help the country so far have been positive. Al-Sharaa has enlisted an impressive and diverse group of Syrian advisors, some of whom had fled the country years ago to escape Assad. His Minister of Social and Labor Affairs, Hind Kabawat, is an accomplished Christian woman, and not a choice one would expect from someone with prior ties to al-Qaeda. Just as surprising, one of al-Sharaa's first acts upon taking power was to free thousands of Syrians that Assad had imprisoned and tortured. Al-Sharaa has declared a return to religious freedom, and during our visit, we witnessed a huge gathering of the Christian population for the first public celebration of Easter held in decades. In our meetings, al-Sharaa expressed a desire to work with the West. He called Israel by name and simultaneously emphasized his desire to promote peace and even possibly join the Abraham Accords. His commitment to avoid the often alluring proxy relationship with Iran is a testament to his desire to find more favorable partners. America is accustomed to being asked for funds and military support, but al-Sharaa wants Syrians defending Syria. His main request was for sanctions relief and for Syria not to be divided into regions. This is not only good for Syria, but a more stable western-leaning Syria provides a new layer of protection for America's ally to the south, Israel. He expressed the importance of having democratic elections, welcoming tourists of all faiths, and creating new trade routes, pointing to the country's strategic location and its ability to allow faster transit of products to the West. He emphasized the necessity for post-conflict Syria to have an economic partner, pointing out that Russia has already made an offer, in addition to others like China and Iran making overtures; however, al-Sharaa has not yet accepted these. His clear preference is to make the U.S. the preferential trade partner, an opportunity Syria finally has for the first time in over 50 years. Hearing al-Sharaa and the Syrian government express an interest in being a stabilizing force in the region for peace and prosperity is a moment in time we must consider carefully, and why we applaud President Trump's decision to lift the sanctions on a war-weary Syria. For accountability, we also believe al-Sharaa must be willing to accept international investigations into the treatment of Syria's religious minorities. When a new leader opens the doors to his country without restriction while still weakened from decades of dictatorial destruction, and when he promotes religious freedom while simply asking for a chance to open trade with the West, we should explore what might be possible. We believe huge investments are waiting to rebuild this great nation. With Trump at the helm, this could be a monumental moment for unexpected peace in the Middle East. Cory Mills represents the Florida's 7th Congressional District and is a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees. Marlin Stutzman represents Indiana's 3rd Congressional District. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
