Fresh gunbattles shattered the uneasy calm in Tripoli late Wednesday, reigniting violence just a day after officials declared peace restored.
Armed clashes broke out between the powerful Radaa force and the 444 Brigade, engulfing strategic areas including the city’s port, officials confirmed.
The Libyan Red Crescent reported at least one fatality, recovering a body from a major street, as skirmishes continued across residential districts.
Residents and television networks noted a lull in fighting by nightfall, though sporadic gunfire and explosions echoed through southern and western Tripoli.
A security source described the violence as “urban warfare,” with fighters using both light weapons in close quarters and heavy arms in open areas.
The renewed conflict underscores Libya’s enduring instability since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime ruler Moamer Kadhafi.
Tripoli remains under the UN-recognised government of Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, while eastern Libya is controlled by a rival Haftar-led administration.
The 444 Brigade, loyal to Dbeibah, controls southern Tripoli, while the Radaa force dominates the eastern capital and several critical state institutions.
Fighting reportedly intensified as reinforcements from Radaa and allied groups entered Tripoli from nearby towns, challenging the 444 Brigade’s hold.
Monday’s clashes killed at least six people, and reports suggested the death of Abdelghani al-Kikli, a prominent militia leader allied with the 444 Brigade.
Analysts warned of a “territorial reshuffle,” as factions from Misrata and Zawiya maneuver to assert control over the capital’s core districts.
Turkey urged all parties to embrace an immediate and lasting ceasefire and to return to political dialogue.
Despite government claims of restored order, continued gunfire and fresh deployments suggest a broader, more destructive confrontation may be unfolding.
The UN mission in Libya called for safe corridors for civilians and an unconditional end to hostilities amid rising fears of prolonged urban conflict.