Latest news with #LibyaConflict
Russia Today
a day ago
- General
- Russia Today
Mass graves discovered in Libya
Dozens of bodies have been discovered in detention centers in Libya, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) reported on Wednesday, calling for an independent investigation into the 'grim findings' and abuses at the facilities. The North African country has continued to experience violence since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi more than a decade ago. According to the OHCHR, the graves were found in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, at 'official and unofficial' sites operated by the Stabilization Support Apparatus (SSA), an armed group mandated to bolster government security. 'Our worst held fears are being confirmed: dozens of bodies have been discovered at these sites, along with the discovery of suspected instruments of torture and abuse, and potential evidence of extrajudicial killings,' UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said. The SSA, a powerful militia formally aligned to Libya's Government of National Unity (GNU), has long faced allegations of 'torture and enforced disappearances.' The findings followed deadly clashes in Tripoli triggered by the assassination of SSA leader Abdelghani al-Kikli – known locally as Ghaniwa – on May 12. He was reportedly shot dead in southern Tripoli, sparking violent confrontations between rival armed factions that left several civilians dead and damaged critical infrastructure, including hospitals. At least 77 bodies were discovered in Tripoli between May 18 and 21, including ten charred corpses found at the SSA headquarters in Abu Salim and 67 others stored in hospital refrigerators, the UN agency said in a press release. Another burial site was reportedly discovered at the SSA-run Tripoli Zoo. 'These sites must be sealed and all potential evidence preserved in support of immediate accountability efforts. Those responsible for these atrocious acts must be brought to justice without delay,' Turk stated. Libya remains deeply fractured, divided between the UN-recognized GNU based in Tripoli and the rival Government of National Stability in the eastern city of Benghazi. Sporadic violence, militia infighting, and stalled political processes have left the country in a prolonged state of instability. The discovery of mass graves in Libya is not uncommon. In February, the authorities reported recovering the bodies of at least 28 people – believed to be migrants – from a mass grave in Kufra, a city around 1,712 kilometers (1,064 miles) southeast of Tripoli. On Wednesday, the UN said two graves were uncovered that month in Jakharrah and Kufra, containing 10 and 93 bodies, respectively. The oil-rich country, a destination for migrants from neighboring African nations, has become a major transit hub for human trafficking and migration to Europe via the Mediterranean since the overthrow and assassination of Gaddafi in 2011.
Jordan Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
AU urges permanent ceasefire in Libya after clashes
ADDIS ABABA — The African Union (AU) called for a permanent ceasefire in Libya on Saturday after deadly clashes in the capital earlier this month and demonstrations demanding the prime minister's resignation. The latest fighting in the conflict-torn North African country pitted an armed group aligned with the Tripoli-based government against factions it has sought to dismantle, resulting in at least eight dead, according to the United Nations. Despite a lack of a formal ceasefire, the clashes mostly ended last week, with the Libya defence ministry saying this week that efforts towards a truce were "ongoing". On Saturday, the AU's Peace and Security Council condemned the recent violence, calling for an "unconditional and permanent ceasefire". In a statement on X, the council urged "inclusive, Libyan-led reconciliation", adding that it "appeals for no external interference". Libya is split between the UN-recognised government in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and a rival administration in the east. The country has remained deeply divided since the 2011 NATO-backed revolt that toppled and killed longtime leader Muammar Qadhafi. The clashes were sparked by the killing of an armed faction leader by a group aligned with Dbeibah's government -- the 444 Brigade, which later fought a third group, the Radaa force that controls parts of eastern Tripoli and the city's airport. It came after Dbeibah announced a string of executive orders seeking to dismantle Radaa and dissolve other Tripoli-based armed groups but excluding the 444 Brigade.
Al Arabiya
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
African Union urges permanent ceasefire in Libya after clashes
The African Union called for a permanent ceasefire in Libya on Saturday after deadly clashes in the capital earlier this month and demonstrations demanding the prime minister's resignation. The latest fighting in the conflict-torn North African country pitted an armed group aligned with the Tripoli-based government against factions it has sought to dismantle, resulting in at least eight dead, according to the United Nations. Despite a lack of a formal ceasefire, the clashes mostly ended last week, with the Libya Defense Ministry saying this week that efforts towards a truce were 'ongoing.' On Saturday, the AU's Peace and Security Council condemned the recent violence, calling for an 'unconditional and permanent ceasefire.' In a statement on X, the council urged 'inclusive, Libyan-led reconciliation,' adding that it 'appeals for no external interference.' Libya is split between the UN-recognized government in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and a rival administration in the east. The clashes were sparked by the killing of an armed faction leader by a group aligned with Dbeibah's government -- the 444 Brigade, which later fought a third group, the Radaa force that controls parts of eastern Tripoli and the city's airport. It came after Dbeibah announced a string of executive orders seeking to dismantle Radaa and dissolve other Tripoli-based armed groups but excluding the 444 Brigade.
Asharq Al-Awsat
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
AU Urges Permanent Ceasefire in Libya After Clashes
The African Union called for a permanent ceasefire in Libya on Saturday after deadly clashes in the capital earlier this month and demonstrations demanding the resignation of Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, head of the Government of National Unity (GNU). The latest fighting in the conflict-torn North African country pitted an armed group aligned with the Tripoli-based GNU against factions it has sought to dismantle, resulting in at least eight dead, according to the United Nations. Despite a lack of a formal ceasefire, the clashes mostly ended last week, with the Libya Defense Ministry saying this week that efforts towards a truce were "ongoing". On Saturday, the AU's Peace and Security Council condemned the recent violence, calling for an "unconditional and permanent ceasefire". In a statement on X, the council urged "inclusive, Libyan-led reconciliation", adding that it "appeals for no external interference". Libya is split between the GNU in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east. The clashes were sparked by the killing of an armed faction leader by a group aligned with Dbeibah's government -- the 444 Brigade, which later fought a third group, the Radaa force that controls parts of eastern Tripoli and the city's airport. It came after Dbeibah announced a string of executive orders seeking to dismantle Radaa and dissolve other Tripoli-based armed groups but excluding the 444 Brigade. Egypt has flown 71 nationals home from Tripoli following the unrest, the foreign ministry said. Friday's special flight by flag carrier EgyptAir "enabled the repatriation of 71 Egyptian citizens who had expressed a desire to come home", the ministry said. Türkiye evacuated 82 of its nationals from Tripoli on a similar repatriation flight last week.
Arab News
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
AU urges permanent ceasefire in Libya after clashes
ADIS ABABA: The African Union called for a permanent ceasefire in Libya on Saturday after deadly clashes in the capital earlier this month and demonstrations demanding the prime minister's resignation. The latest fighting in the conflict-torn North African country pitted an armed group aligned with the Tripoli-based government against factions it has sought to dismantle, resulting in at least eight dead, according to the United Nations. Despite a lack of a formal ceasefire, the clashes mostly ended last week, with the Libya Defense Ministry saying this week that efforts toward a truce were 'ongoing.' On Saturday, the AU's Peace and Security Council condemned the recent violence, calling for an 'unconditional and permanent ceasefire.' In a statement on X, the council urged 'inclusive, Libyan-led reconciliation,' adding that it 'appeals for no external interference.' Libya is split between the UN-recognized government in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and a rival administration in the east. The country has remained deeply divided since the 2011 NATO-backed revolt that toppled and killed longtime leader Muammar Qaddafi. The clashes were sparked by the killing of an armed faction leader by a group aligned with Dbeibah's government — the 444 Brigade, which later fought a third group, the Radaa force that controls parts of eastern Tripoli and the city's airport. It came after Dbeibah announced a string of executive orders seeking to dismantle Radaa and dissolve other Tripoli-based armed groups but excluding the 444 Brigade.
