Violent clashes erupt between rival militias in Libya’s Misrata
The city of Misrata in Western Libya saw a series of violent clashes between rival armed groups on October 23rd, according to the Libya Review.
The skirmishes broke out between two groups nominally aligned with the Government of National Unity (GNU), which is the UN-backed and internationally recognised administration based in the nation’s capital of Tripoli.
The “Joint Operations Force” traded heavy fire with the “24th Infantry Battalion” in the densely populated central Sakkat area of Libya’s third largest city. Residents reported hearing loud explosions and heavy gunfire rattling through the streets.
Videos posted online displayed images of the violent clashes, which sparked widespread panic and fear amongst civilians, who sought shelter indoors.
The incident marks the first time Misrata has witnessed fighting between armed forces since the civil war that toppled late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, according to Asharq Al-Aswat on October 25th.
The clashes were reportedly triggered by disputes over control of local security zones, making it the latest episode in a long-running struggle for security dominance between competing groups.
The skirmishes signify a deteriorating security situation in Misrata, yet it is not the first time in recent months that an event has instilled mass panic amongst residents.
On August 31st, an explosion struck the Skeerat area, close to the city’s industrial zone. The burning shells and shrapnel from the blast hit nearby residential areas, leading to an evacuation. It is still unclear, however, whether this was an accident or if an armed group was involved.
The GNU, which is led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, has vowed to disarm and formally integrate militias across western Libya into state institutions.
However, critics believe that such a promise has not yet materialised precisely because the GNU is dependent on the very same armed groups to maintain security and power.
As a result, rival militias continue to clash across western Libya. Deadly fighting has broken out in recent months in cities like Janzour and Al-Zawiya, both of which are in close proximity to Tripoli.
In response to his inability to rein in the increasingly volatile and belligerent militias, Dbeibeh has come under vast parliamentary pressure to step down.
40 ministers in Libya’s House of representatives issued a joint statement calling for his immediate resignation, citing concerns that his administrative mismanagement will inevitably lead to the deterioration of state institutions and the outbreak of another civil war.
Libya Review, Asharq Al-Aswat, The Soufan Centre, Maghrebi.org
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