Latest news with #MahmoudHamza
Libya Herald
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Libya Herald
Presidency Council decrees unconditional ceasefire, freezes all Aldabaiba Tripoli government's recent military/security decrees
The Libyan Presidency Council issued decree 2/2025 yesterday in its role as Supreme Head of the Armed Forces: Orders a comprehensive ceasefire in all areas. All military units must return to their headquarters immediately and unconditionally. Freeze the decisions of the Tripoli based Libyan government of a military or security nature in restructuring security institutions or assigning persons to military or security tasks within the limits of transitional jurisdictions. Form a fact-finding committee headed by the Chief of the General Staff and his assistant, the commander of the military region and the Chief of Land Staff starting from Monday, May 12 and the damage caused thereto. Take the necessary measures to assist those affected, limit their damages, redress them and remove their effects as soon as possible. . 444th Brigade and Military Intelligence head Mahmoud Hamza's narrative of the SDF / RADA Tripoli clash Images of Abdelghani Ghnewa's funeral in Kikla appear as his SSA militia mourn him Gunfire at demonstrations calling for Aldabaiba's downfall, nervous ceasefire holding as calm returns to Tripoli The time of parallel security services is over, there is no place in Libya except for regular institutions of the army and police: Aldabaiba Tripoli PM Aldabaiba appoints Mustafa Al-Wahishi as the new head of the Internal Security Agency Tripoli PM Aldabaiba decrees reorganisation of some security units following Ghnewa Kikly's reported killing Ceasefire announced after heavy overnight fighting in Tripoli Calm returns after overnight Tripoli clashes as major militia leader reportedly killed
Libya Herald
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Libya Herald
444th Brigade and Military Intelligence head Mahmoud Hamza's narrative of the SDF / RADA Tripoli clash
Writing on his personal Facebook page yesterday, and not on his official 444th Combat Brigade page, Major General Mahmoud Hamza, Commander of the 444th Combat Brigade and Director of the Military Intelligence Department, narrated his version of yesterday's events regarding the clash with the Special Deterrence Force (SDF) / RADA in Tripoli. ''For years, we have always been keen on the security and protection of citizens, preventing bloodshed and stopping the armed conflict. We were not advocates of war, and keen on the sanctity of the blood of innocent people and the protection of lives, property and honours. Our intervention in the past years to stop armed conflicts is evidence of the sincerity of our intentions''. SDF / RADA reneg on agreement to handover locations ''What happened yesterday (the attack by SDF / RADA and its allied militias on his own forces) is treachery, betrayal and violation of the covenant and the charter, where the 'Deterrence and Judicial Forces' yesterday, after we were in an agreement and covenant with them, attacked all the (444th) brigade's positions in the capital Tripoli treacherously and without warning. We could only stand firm and valiantly in defence of their treachery, for which they were known before, and they learned a lesson in all the places where they were treacherous. They 'eat with the wolf and cry with the shepherd.' Refrained from attacking even though they could ''At the same time, we sought with every effort, and we stopped fighting to protect the people, and although all the lines were open to us to advance in all axes, but we stopped fighting. This shows our keenness to prevent blood and not to fight''. Comment Ultimately, this is one side of the story. Hamza's story. On the opposite side, the SDF / RADA have conveyed the narrative that Hamza's 444, the 111 Brigade and their other allies at the time, attacked them. Hamza is saying his forces went to fill a vacuum left by the disintegrating Stability Support Agency (SAA) and its ally, the Judiciary Force, following Abdelghani Ghnewa Al-Kikly's contested death the day before. Hamza recounts that his forces were entering these vacated locations with the agreement of the SDF / RADA forces. But according to him, they reneged on the agreement and attacked Hamza's forces. Nevertheless, as Hamza suggested, his track record is not that of a hot head. He has sought to portray and mould the 444th as a neutral and regular state institution: a regular army. His forces in guarding major crosspoints, roundabouts and traffic lights Salahaldeen and Ain Zara are impeccably presented and are respected by civilians in their treatment. They are restrained in being overly aggressive and in using force. They are mindful that they are accountable and represent the state. Militas are not. On the contrary, militias act with impunity at the cost of the Libyan people and the Libyan state. Hamza knows too well, that unlike the warlord militia leaders, he is a military civil servant. He is dispensable at the stroke of the pen of his boss – current prime minister Aldabaiba. However, Aldabaiba's enemies have sought to take advantage of the fog of war and create a tribal/regional narrative that Aldabaiba only stands for his hometown of Misrata – rather than the militia versus regular police and army narrative. The Libyan state will never stand on its feet if the state does not have a monopoly on the legitimate, accountable use of force. There can be no monopoly if the state is full of multiple, corrupt, self-aggrandising militias. . Images of Abdelghani Ghnewa's funeral in Kikla appear as his SSA militia mourn him Gunfire at demonstrations calling for Aldabaiba's downfall, nervous ceasefire holding as calm returns to Tripoli The time of parallel security services is over, there is no place in Libya except for regular institutions of the army and police: Aldabaiba Tripoli PM Aldabaiba appoints Mustafa Al-Wahishi as the new head of the Internal Security Agency Tripoli PM Aldabaiba decrees reorganisation of some security units following Ghnewa Kikly's reported killing Ceasefire announced after heavy overnight fighting in Tripoli Calm returns after overnight Tripoli clashes as major militia leader reportedly killed
Libya Review
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
Egypt Forms Emergency Team to Monitor Libya Crisis
Egypt's Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday the formation of an emergency operations room to monitor the fast-moving developments in Libya, as armed clashes continue to rock the capital Tripoli. In a statement, the ministry confirmed that the operations room will remain in constant session to follow the evolving situation. It will coordinate directly with the Egyptian embassy in Tripoli around the clock and handle queries and requests from Egyptian nationals in Libya through two dedicated hotlines: 0020115566606 and 00218914897985. The ministry also stated that it is working in full coordination with relevant state institutions to manage the crisis effectively. It urged all Egyptian citizens residing in Libya to exercise extreme caution, stay indoors, and avoid areas witnessing armed conflict until the situation stabilises. Earlier on Wednesday, Egypt called on all Libyan factions to prioritise national interest, de-escalate hostilities, and embrace dialogue to prevent further deterioration. Cairo warned that continued violence could lead to a full-scale escalation that would undermine Libya's sovereignty and threaten regional stability. The capital Tripoli has been engulfed in fierce fighting involving light, medium, and heavy weapons since Tuesday evening. The clashes pit the 444th Combat Brigade, affiliated with the Government of National Unity and led by Mahmoud Hamza, against the Deterrence Apparatus for Combating Organised Crime, commanded by Abdulraouf Kara and based at Mitiga Airbase. The Egyptian government's response underscores growing regional concern over the security vacuum in Libya. It also highlights the vulnerability of Egyptian citizens amid the latest outbreak of violence.
