Armed clashes broke out in Tripoli on Monday evening following the reported killing of Abdulghani Kikli, known as Ghaniwa, leader of the powerful armed group Support Force Apparatus (SSA), based in the Abu Salim district. Residents reported gunfire ringing out across the city center and surrounding areas.
The SSA is aligned with the Government of National Unity (GNU), which was formed in 2021 through a UN-backed process. The GNU’s interior ministry urged residents to stay indoors for their safety as tensions escalated.
The defense ministry later stated that it had taken control of Abu Salim. One resident described hearing heavy gunfire and seeing red lights in the sky. Meanwhile, the University of Tripoli announced the suspension of all academic and administrative activities.
The UN Mission in Libya called for an immediate ceasefire, reminding all parties of their obligation to protect civilians, warning that attacks on civilians could constitute war crimes.
Libya, a major oil producer, has faced instability since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising. Though a ceasefire was reached in 2020, the political crisis persists, with rival factions frequently clashing over control of the country’s resources.