Military Clashes in Libya: Tripoli Attacked and Leader Killed
Executive Summary
A new wave of violence has erupted in Tripoli following the assassination of Abdel Ghani al-Kikli—also known as Gheniwa—the powerful commander of the Stability Support Apparatus and a close ally of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. His killing during a meeting at the 444th Combat Brigade’s base triggered heavy clashes between rival militias across western Tripoli, prompting a state of emergency and renewed fears of civil conflict. The UN and Qatar are urging de-escalation and a return to political dialogue, but the situation on the ground remains fluid and volatile.
Analysis
The sudden death of Gheniwa, one of western Libya’s most feared militia leaders, has unleashed immediate and fierce fighting in Tripoli. Violent confrontations have been reported primarily in the Abu Salim and Mashrou districts—areas considered strongholds of Gheniwa’s Stability Support Force (SSF). A loose coalition comprising the Misrata Joint Force, the 444 Brigade, the 111 Brigade, and the Directorate Support Force appears to have engaged Gheniwa’s loyalists in an effort to reassert control and exploit the resulting power vacuum.
Gheniwa, long accused by human rights organizations such as Amnesty International of extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances, had enjoyed close ties to the Dbeibeh government and operated with virtual impunity. His death raises significant questions about internal fractures within Libya’s power-sharing arrangement and suggests deeper conflicts over the control of security institutions and capital territory.
The Government of National Unity has issued warnings for civilians to remain indoors as Mitiga International Airport began evacuations, redirecting flights to Misrata. Emergency services have declared a citywide alert, and convoys from Zawiya, Zintan, and Misrata have reportedly entered Tripoli, signaling broader mobilization.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has responded with urgent calls for calm and dialogue, highlighting the risks to civilians and the importance of de-escalating tensions. UNSMIL’s statement emphasizes the critical role of local leaders and dignitaries in negotiating peace and restoring order. Meanwhile, Qatar continues its diplomatic engagement, hosting UN officials in Tripoli to reaffirm support for Libya’s political transition and territorial unity.
The incident reflects ongoing instability in Libya’s fractured security landscape, where power continues to be contested not by national institutions but by powerful, semi-autonomous militias. Gheniwa’s death may destabilize what little equilibrium had been maintained in the capital and could trigger a reshuffling of militia alliances and foreign interests, particularly from Turkey and Qatar, which maintain influence over different factions.
