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yesterday

Libyan PM Tightens Grip After Ceasefire Ends Deadly Tripoli Clashes

A truce follows the assassination of militia leader Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, leading to territorial gains by government-aligned forces and raising international concerns over civilian safety.

The shooting led to fighting between Libyan security forces and militiamen loyal to Abdel Ghani al-Kikli
Members of the 444 Brigade of the Libyan Army, a unit serving the Government of National Unity (GNU) and Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, stand guard at Abu Salim area, in Tripoli, Libya, May 13, 2025. REUTERS/Ayman al-Sahili/File Photo
Illustrative image from May 10, 2025 shows Martyrs square in Libya's capital Tripoli on May 10, 2025.
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Overview

  • Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, head of the Stability Support Authority, was killed on May 12, allegedly by the 444 Brigade, sparking intense clashes in Tripoli.
  • Government forces loyal to Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah seized SSA strongholds, including the Abu Salim district, in a major consolidation of power.
  • A ceasefire was announced on May 14, calming the most intense fighting in years, though security restrictions and civilian disruptions remain in place.
  • The United Nations warned that attacks on civilians during the clashes could constitute war crimes and called for accountability among armed factions.
  • The power shift strengthens Dbeibah’s position in Tripoli but underscores Libya's fragile state, divided between eastern and western administrations since 2014.