Latest news with #al-Kikli
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Libya's prime minister asserts control after deadly Tripoli violence
A day after deadly clashes shook Tripoli, Libya's United Nations-recognised government in the west of the country has begun asserting control following the reported killing of powerful militia leader Abdelghani al-Kikli, also known as Gheniwa. The Emergency Medicine and Support Centre confirmed it retrieved six bodies from the Tripoli neighbourhood of Abu Salim on Tuesday, after heavy fighting erupted across the capital the previous night and into the early morning. Explosions and gunfire echoed through the southern part of the city as rival armed factions clashed for several hours. The fighting stemmed from the killing of al-Kikli, commander of the Stability Support Authority, SSA, on Monday by a rival militia, a senior government and health official told the Associated Press news agency. An official and local media say al-Kikli was killed during a meeting at the 444 Brigade's base, a group loyal to Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. Al-Kikli had been accused by Amnesty International of war crimes and other serious rights violations over the past decade. Libya analyst Jalel Harchaoui told the AFP news agency that al-Kikli had been ambushed, citing a relative. 'Among Tripoli's most successful armed group leaders,' he was known for outmanoeuvring the prime minister, the analyst added. On Tuesday, Dbeibah declared a military operation had dismantled 'irregular' armed groups. The move is seen as a direct effort to reassert state authority and strengthen his position in the capital. 'Gheniwa was de facto king of Tripoli,' Tarek Megerisi of the European Council on Foreign Relations told Reuters. 'His henchmen controlled the internal security agency … cash transfers from the central bank… numerous public companies and ministries'. Al-Kikli's forces reportedly operated prisons and held influence over ministries and financial institutions, underscoring a significant shift in the balance of power with his death. Clashes also spread beyond the capital, with fighting between Tripoli-based groups and rival militias from Misrata, a key coastal city to the east. Authorities imposed a temporary curfew before later announcing that calm had returned. Libya, a major oil producer and key route for immigrants and refugees crossing the Mediterranean, remains deeply divided between Dbeibah's UN-recognised administration in the west and a rival eastern government aligned with military commander Khalifa Haftar. Foreign powers including Turkiye, Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates continue to back opposing sides in the ongoing power struggle. Dbeibah said a 'military operation' had restored calm and asserted the government's authority. 'What was accomplished today shows that official institutions are capable of protecting the homeland and preserving the dignity of its citizens,' he wrote on X, praising the armed forces' role. Schools across parts of the capital have been closed until further notice. The UN mission in Libya expressed alarm over the use of heavy weapons in densely populated areas, warning that 'attacks on civilians and civilian objects may amount to war crimes' and calling on all sides to 'immediately cease fighting'. Libya plunged into chaos following a NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The oil-rich nation has been governed for most of the past decade by rival governments in eastern and western Libya, each backed by an array of fighter groups and foreign governments.
Middle East Eye
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Deadly clashes rock Libya's capital after militia leader killed
Clashes between heavily armed militias erupted across the Libyan capital late on Monday night, killing at least six people and plunging Tripoli into renewed violence and fear. The fighting, which continued into the early hours of Tuesday, was triggered by the killing of Abdelghani al-Kikli, a powerful militia commander known as "Gheniwa," who led the Stability Support Authority (SSA), one of Tripoli's most influential armed factions. Heavy gunfire and explosions were reported in several neighbourhoods, particularly Abu Salim, a densely populated southern district. Residents told Reuters they heard intense gun battles. 'Six bodies have been retrieved from the sites of clashes around Abu Salim,' Libya's Emergency Medicine and Support Centre confirmed. The health ministry also said that emergency crews helped evacuate families trapped by the violence and called on hospitals and medical centres 'to raise their level of preparedness and ensure maximum readiness to deal with any emergency'. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters In the wake of the clashes, the interior ministry of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) issued an emergency alert urging residents to stay indoors. Schools and universities suspended classes, exams and all administrative activities. The education ministry cited the 'deteriorating security situation,' while the University of Tripoli announced a full closure 'until further notice'. Death of a warlord Al-Kikli was allegedly ambushed on Monday evening in a facility run by the 444 Brigade, a rival militia led by Mahmoud Hamza, an influential commander allied with GNU Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. While the exact circumstances of his killing remain murky, a nephew of al-Kikli said in a Facebook post that he had been lured under the pretence of negotiations, an invitation that turned out to be a calculated hit. 'Crumbling': Libya's warring factions dig in for fight over oil profits Read More » 'For many years, Abdelghani 'Ghnewa' al-Kikli was arguably one of the most resilient, most successful armed group leaders in Tripoli when it came to extending militia influence beyond hard security,' Jalel Harchaoui, an analyst focusing on Libyan security and political economy, said in a post on X. 'His primary strength lay not in military might - though his territorial holdings did expand - but in his ability to outmaneuver Prime Minister Dbeibah. Today, however, that winning streak looks [like] it has come to an end.' Al-Kikli had long been a controversial figure in Libya's volatile security landscape. Amnesty International previously accused him of war crimes and human rights violations, including torture, arbitrary detention and extrajudicial killings. The SSA had become one of the most powerful militias in western Libya, with deep entrenchment in state institutions. As Harchaoui noted, al-Kikli had successfully 'installed loyalists in key positions across the banking, telecom and administrative oversight sectors, and even within top diplomatic functions'. A fractured state, again on edge By early Tuesday morning, authorities said the situation was under control. The GNU said its forces carried out a "military operation" to restore security and reassert state authority in Abu Salim. 'What was accomplished today shows that official institutions are capable of protecting the homeland and preserving the dignity of its citizens,' Dbeibah wrote on X, praising the operation as 'a decisive step' against "irregular" armed factions. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed grave concern over the fighting, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians. 'UNSMIL is alarmed by the unfolding security situation in Tripoli, with intense fighting with heavy weaponry in densely populated civilian areas,' it said on X. 'Attacks on civilians and civilian objects may amount to war crimes.' The UNSMIL warned that unless armed groups were held accountable, violence would remain a constant threat to Libyans caught in the crossfire. Libya and Trump administration discussed sharing billions of dollars in frozen funds, sources say Read More » The North African country has been divided between rival governments in the west and east since the 2011 Nato-backed uprising that overthrew and killed longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi. The internationally recognised GNU governs from Tripoli in the west, while a rival administration under Prime Minister Osama Hammad operates from Benghazi in the east with backing from General Khalifa Haftar's forces. Despite a 2020 ceasefire and several diplomatic efforts to unify the country, Libya remains fractured, with heavily armed factions vying for power, influence and control of lucrative oil and gas resources. The latest clashes are the deadliest since August 2023, when rival factions in Tripoli battled for control, leaving 55 people dead. Anas El Gomati, founder and director of the Tripoli-based Sadeq Institute, said on X that al-Kikli's 'elimination leaves Dbeibah as the dominant power broker in western Libya, having systematically neutralised or co-opted potential rivals. 'The timing is particularly significant, coming as US-led negotiations explore the possibility of a unified military council between rival eastern and western factions,' Gomati added. Harchaoui warned that "what is about to follow won't be smooth sailing. 'Tripoli faces a territorial reshuffle as Dbeibah's camp moves to seize SSA-held areas,' he said, adding that clashes may flare, but the real impact is institutional, with both the Central Bank and Libyan Foreign Bank set to be affected by the collapse of al-Kikli's network.
United News of India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Violent clashes erupt in Libya's Tripoli amid reports about death of security chief
Tripoli, May 13 (UNI) Violent clashes erupted on Monday in the Libyan capital Tripoli between rival armed factions, amid reports of the death of Abdul-Ghani al-Kikli, known as Ghaniwa, who headed the Stability Support Department affiliated with the Presidency Council. Local media reported that al-Kikli was killed inside the headquarters of the 444 Brigade, which is affiliated with the Tripoli Military Zone. At the same time, they noted, citing an unnamed security source, that "the reason for al-Kikli's presence inside the headquarters of the 444 Brigade is unknown." The reports about al-Kikli's death coincided with residents of parts of southern Tripoli confirming hearing sounds of intense gunfire involving heavy weapons, as other areas of Tripoli are experiencing serious security tensions. Over the past few hours, local media have circulated video footage of military mobilisations in and around Tripoli, noting that armed groups from the cities of Zawiya, Zintan, and Misurata were heading toward the capital. The Medical Emergency Department of the Ministry of Health announced full alert following the clashes, while the Interior Ministry advised the residents of Tripoli to remain at home for their safety. The Tripoli Mitiga International Airport announced suspending all flights and redirecting them toward the Misurata International Airport, which is located some 250 km east of Tripoli, while schools were suspended in some parts of Tripoli due to the clashes. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) called for de-escalation in Tripoli. "UNSMIL is closely monitoring reports of the military build-up and escalating tensions in Tripoli and the broader western region. We urgently call on all parties to immediately deescalate the situation, refrain from any provocative actions, and resolve disputes through dialogue," UNSMIL said in a statement. "The Mission strongly supports Libyan efforts, including those led by elders and community leaders, to achieve a peaceful resolution and emphasises the critical responsibility of all parties to protect civilians," the statement said. Ever since the fall of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, Libya has been plagued by insecurity and political instability. UNI XINHUA ARN
India Today
13-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Watch: Rival militias clash in Tripoli after reported killing of Libya's SSA chief
Heavy gunfire and violent clashes shook the streets of Tripoli on Monday evening after reports surfaced that a local militia leader had been killed. According to Reuters, gunshots were heard across the city centre and other neighbourhoods of the Libyan leader who was killed was Abdelghani al-Kikli, also known as "Ghaniwa." He commanded the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA), one of the strongest armed groups operating in Tripoli. His group is based in the Abu Salim area, a heavily populated part of the media are flooded with videos showing intense fighting and the sounds of heavy gunfire. People across the city said they heard loud gunshots, and the streets quickly turned chaotic. Drivers began speeding and honking their horns in panic.#Breaking: More videos of the clashes in #Ttripoli, capital city of #Libya tonight. Babak Taghvaee - The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) May 12, 2025 "Senior security sources confirmed that al-Kikli was killed at a headquarters affiliated with the 444th Combat Brigade in the Tripoli Military Zone," quoted the Libyan media reported early Tuesday that the defence ministry had regained full control of Abu Salim, where the SSA was ISSUES SAFETY ALERT, SCHOOLS SHUTThe Stability Support Apparatus, headed by al-Kikli, falls under the jurisdiction of the Presidential Council that was established in 2021 under a United Nations-sponsored peace process. The existing unity government, also referred to as the Government of National Unity (GNU), is led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid a reaction to the violence, the GNU's interior ministry released a message asking people to stay indoors. "For their own protection," it advised, citizens are not to venture the University of Tripoli, cancelled all classes, exams, and administrative activities at its campuses until further notice. The announcement was made public via a Facebook post by the leadership of the CALLS FOR CALM AMID GROWING TENSIONSThe United Nations Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) urged all groups involved in the fighting to stop immediately and restore calm in Tripoli. The UN also reminded fighters of their duty to protect innocent civilians. "Attacks on civilians and civilian objects may amount to war crimes," the statement said has been plagued into instability since 2011, when a rebellion backed by NATO led to the fall of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi. The country has since been split between rival factions in the east and the west. While in 2020 a ceasefire was established, attempts to create permanent peace have been largely capital, Tripoli, is also a conflict hotbed. There are several groups of armed forces who frequently struggle for power, influence, and dominance over the riches of Libya - particularly its oil READ: Sheikh Hasina's Awami League officially banned as Bangladesh revises terror law
