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Libyan Militia Leader Gheniwa Killed, Triggering Violent Clashes in Tripoli

The death of Abdel Ghani Al-Kikli, accused of human rights abuses, has led to escalating violence and flight diversions as authorities seek to stabilize the capital.

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Overview

  • Abdel Ghani Al-Kikli, also known as Gheniwa, was killed at the Tekbali military camp in Tripoli, with reports suggesting he may have been ambushed during a supposed negotiation meeting.
  • Following his death, violent clashes erupted between rival factions in Tripoli, with social media flooded with images of fighting and casualties.
  • Authorities have rerouted flights from Mitiga airport to Misurata and imposed a shelter-in-place order for residents in western Tripoli neighborhoods.
  • Gheniwa, head of the Stability Support Apparatus militia, had been accused by international organizations of torture, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings, as well as involvement in migrant interceptions under government-backed deals.
  • The UN Support Mission in Libya has expressed deep concern over the escalating violence and has called for restraint and dialogue to prevent further destabilization.