Latest news with #Nato-backed
Observer
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Observer
African Union urges permanent ceasefire in Libya
ADDIS 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 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. 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. — AFP
AsiaOne
20-05-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
At least 58 corpses found in Libyan hospital, ministry says, World News
TRIPOLI — At least 58 unidentified corpses were found on Monday (May 19) in a hospital in Tripoli that was under the control of a militia whose leader was killed last week, the interior ministry said. The corpses were found in a morgue refrigerator in Abu Salim Accidents Hospital in the densely populated Abu Salim neighbourhood, following a report from the hospital, the ministry said in a statement. Pictures of corpses with numbers and censored faces were posted by the ministry, showing remains in various states of decomposition on steel carriers and beds. Some of the remains were burnt. An investigation was underway to establish the identities of the deceased. "So far, 23 corpses have been examined, and all necessary legal procedures have been taken, including documenting data and collecting samples," the ministry said. Abu Salim was home to a militia known as the Stabilisation Support Apparatus, whose chief, Abdulghani Kikli, widely known as Ghaniwa, was killed in unconfirmed circumstances last Monday. Kikli's killing led to the sudden defeat of the SSA by factions aligned to internationally recognised Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah of the Government of National Unity (GNU). On Tuesday, Dbeibah ordered armed groups to be dismantled, triggering the fiercest clashes Tripoli had seen in years between two armed groups. The clashes killed at least eight civilians, according to the United Nations. The corpses found on Monday are the second set of unidentified remains discovered in recent days. On Saturday, officials said nine corpses had been found in a morgue refrigerator in Al-Khadra hospital, another SSA-controlled hospital in the Abu Salim neighbourhood. The militia had not reported the corpses to the relevant authorities, the interior ministry said. Dbeibah said on Saturday that eliminating militias was an "ongoing project," as a ceasefire after last week's clashes remained in place. The GNU posted a video on Monday showing bulldozers demolishing the so-called 77 camp, one of the biggest facilities that was under control of SSA. The camp is to be turned into a national park. Libya has had little stability since a 2011 Nato-backed uprising ousted longtime autocrat Muammar Gaddafi. The country split in 2014 between rival eastern and western factions, though an outbreak of major warfare paused with a truce in 2020. [[nid:714645]]
Malay Mail
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Libyan authorities discover at least 58 unidentified corpses in militia-controlled Tripoli hospital, ministry says
TRIPOLI, May 20 — At least 58 unidentified corpses were found yesterday in a hospital in Tripoli that was under the control of a militia whose leader was killed last week, the interior ministry said. The corpses were found in a morgue refrigerator in Abu Salim Accidents Hospital in the densely populated Abu Salim neighbourhood, following a report from the hospital, the ministry said in a statement. Pictures of corpses with numbers and censored faces were posted by the ministry, showing remains in various states of decomposition on steel carriers and beds. Some of the remains were burnt. An investigation was underway to establish the identities of the deceased. 'So far, 23 corpses have been examined, and all necessary legal procedures have been taken, including documenting data and collecting samples,' the ministry said. Abu Salim was home to a militia known as the Stabilisation Support Apparatus, whose chief, Abdulghani Kikli, widely known as Ghaniwa, was killed in unconfirmed circumstances last Monday. Kikli's killing led to the sudden defeat of the SSA by factions aligned to internationally recognised Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah of the Government of National Unity (GNU). On Tuesday, Dbeibah ordered armed groups to be dismantled, triggering the fiercest clashes Tripoli had seen in years between two armed groups. The clashes killed at least eight civilians, according to the United Nations. The corpses found on Monday are the second set of unidentified remains discovered in recent days. On Saturday, officials said nine corpses had been found in a morgue refrigerator in Al-Khadra hospital, another SSA-controlled hospital in the Abu Salim neighbourhood. The militia had not reported the corpses to the relevant authorities, the interior ministry said. Dbeibah said on Saturday that eliminating militias was an 'ongoing project,' as a ceasefire after last week's clashes remained in place. The GNU posted a video yesterday showing bulldozers demolishing the so-called 77 camp, one of the biggest facilities that was under control of SSA. The camp is to be turned into a national park. Libya has had little stability since a 2011 Nato-backed uprising ousted longtime autocrat Muammar Gaddafi. The country split in 2014 between rival eastern and western factions, though an outbreak of major warfare paused with a truce in 2020. — Reuters
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
UN voices deep concern as Tripoli fighting endangers civilians
TRIPOLI: The United Nations expressed deep concern Thursday over rising violence in Libya's capital, warning the clashes risk mass displacement and put civilians in grave danger. The fighting broke out late Monday, with heavy gunfire and explosions rocking several districts and killing at least six people, according to authorities. They declared it over within hours, but clashes flared again on Wednesday in key areas including Tripoli's only port, in what a security source described as "urban warfare." The guns fell silent on Thursday, but fears of renewed violence linger. The International Organisation for Migration called for an immediate halt to hostilities to protect civilians in line with international law. The UN body said it was "alarmed by the recent escalation of violence", highlighting the "severe risk of mass displacement and danger to civilians." Turkiye, a proponent of the Tripoli-based government, said it was evacuating its nationals from the North African country. Libya has remained deeply divided since the 2011 Nato-backed revolt that toppled and killed longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. The country is split between a UN-recognised government in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and a rival administration in the east controlled by the Haftar family. Tripoli was calm again on Thursday after the clashes between a powerful armed group aligned with the Tripoli-based government and rival factions it is trying to dismantle. Schools, the University of Tripoli and the city's only airport remained closed, AFP reporters said. Most shops also stayed shut, except for a few in outlying areas that said they were encountering shortages. The violence was sparked by the killing of Abdelghani al-Kikli, head of the Support and Stability Apparatus (SSA), by the 444 Brigade, a force aligned with Dbeibah. Kikli's group controlled the southern district of Abu Salim. The second wave of clashes pitted the 444 Brigade against the Radaa force, which controls parts of eastern Tripoli and several key state institutions. No official casualty figures were released, but the Libyan Red Crescent said it had recovered a body from a main street in Tripoli. While the fighting subsided overnight, SSA loyalists said Kikli's death "only strengthens our resolve to relentlessly pursue those involved wherever they are." His relatives said he was killed in an "ambush" during a mediation meeting at a 444 Brigade facility. Dbeibah on Tuesday vowed to "do away with irregular groups" in Tripoli and "establish the principle that there is no place in Libya except for state institutions." Libya expert Jalel Harchaoui said the clashes amounted to a "territorial reshuffle", though fighting the more popular and entrenched Radaa force proved difficult. More than 500 people rallied on Wednesday night in the Souq el-Joumaa neighbourhood, a Radaa stronghold, chanting against the Dbeibah government before shots were fired to disperse them. The demonstration followed a string of executive orders to dismantle Radaa and dissolve other Tripoli-based armed groups, excluding the 444 Brigade. Radaa enjoys a degree of public legitimacy despite running prisons deemed illegal. The SSA, by contrast, faces mounting accusations of abuse, including torture and forced labour of sub-Saharan African migrants. "Whether these clashes serve to undermine or consolidate Dbeibah's authority remains an open question," wrote the International Crisis Group's Claudia Gazzini. "Either way, residents of Tripoli are yet again victims of violence wrought by forces beyond their control." The embassies of Germany, France the United States, Britain and Italy on Wednesday evening expressed "their deep concern about the recent violence in Tripoli", urging the "authorities to take all measures to protect civilians" in a statement.--AFP
New Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Fresh clashes erupt in Tripoli despite earlier ceasefire
TRIPOLI: Fresh gunbattles erupted on Wednesday in the Libyan capital between two powerful armed groups, a security official said, a day after authorities declared the fighting over. Clashes flared between the Radaa force and the 444 Brigade in key areas of the city, including the port, the source said. Fighting eased towards the end of the day, according to television reports and residents who spoke to AFP, with some bakeries opening but schools remaining shut. No official casualty figures were released, but the Libyan Red Crescent said it had recovered a dead body from a major street in Tripoli. On Monday night, heavy arms fire and explosions rocked several Tripoli districts, killing at least six people, according to authorities. The official described the fighting as "urban warfare", with clashes in residential areas involving light and medium weapons. In other areas, heavy weapons were used. Libya has struggled to recover from the Nato-backed 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. The country remains split between a UN-recognised government in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and a rival administration in the east, controlled by the Haftar family. The 444 Brigade controls parts of southern Tripoli and is aligned with Dbeibah. Radaa controls parts in the capital's east and holds several key state facilities. Fighting extended in southern and western Tripoli as Radaa brought in reinforcements to fight the 444 Brigade, an interior ministry source said. More than 500 people on Wednesday rallied in the Souq el-Joumaa neighbourhood, a Radaa stronghold, chanting slogans against the Dbeibah government and denouncing the proposed dissolution of the 444 Brigade. Reports said Abdelghani al-Kikli, leader of the Support and Stability Apparatus which controls the southern district of Abu Salim, was killed this week at a facility controlled by the 444 Brigade. A source told AFP that groups were moving into the capital from neighbouring Zawiya in support of Radaa, which detains smugglers of drugs and alcohol as well as affiliates of the Islamic State group. Meanwhile, "more Misrata brigades may continue to join Dbeibah's side", said Libya expert Jalel Harchaoui. He described the latest conflict as some of the most dangerous for the capital in recent years, saying it meant a "territorial reshuffle" with more factions "seeking to insinuate themselves into downtown Tripoli." Turkiye, a supporter of the Tripoli-based government, called on "all parties to implement a full and lasting ceasefire without delay and to engage in dialogue to settle disputes," its foreign ministry said. On Tuesday, the Tripoli-based government said the fighting had been controlled. Dbeibah thanked government forces "for restoring security and asserting the state's authority in the capital." Dbeibah also announced a string of executive orders including dissolving some bodies previously run by Tripoli armed groups other than the 444 Brigade. But a second night of fighting could mean "a more prolonged, destructive, and existential battle with a nationwide dimension" after what he said was Dbeibah's "failure to secure a quick victory." Authorities also announced a ceasefire, but gunshots were still heard in western parts of Tripoli. The embassies in Germany, France the United States, Britain and Italy on Wednesday evening expressed "their deep concern about the recent violence in Tripoli", urging the "authorities to take all measures to protect civilians" in a statement. The United Nations mission in Libya said it was "deeply alarmed by escalating violence in densely populated neighbourhoods of Tripoli for the second night in a row."
