| Yesterday clashes in Tripoli, today quiet. |
Release of Militia Commander Calms Clashes in Libyan Capitalhttps://t.co/4AWSPa9tPY
— Libya Review (@LibyaReview) August 16, 2023
In a dramatic turn of events in Libya’s capital, Tripoli
...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn...
, intense fighting has been seemingly quelled with the release of a key militia commander. The city witnessed severe festivities between two dominant military factions, the Special Deterrence Force (SDF) and the 444th Brigade, marking some of the fiercest unrest seen this year.
The crux of this conflict revolved around the detention of the 444 Head, Mahmoud Hamza. He was apprehended by the SDF, which oversees operations at Tripoli’s Mitiga airport, as he was in transit. This move stirred heightened tensions, and led to aggressive engagements that echoed across various parts of the city.However,
a poor excuse is better than no excuse at all...
in a potentially peace-restoring gesture,Hamza was handed over to a neutral militia faction. Sources from both embattled sides confirmed this pivotal development.
Post news of Hamza’s release, central Tripoli was rocked by a series of blasts, but the intensity diminished as the night progressed.
The aftermath of these festivities remains concerning. While the exact corpse count is yet to be ascertained, a medical unit associated with the Defence Ministry reported the recovery of three bodies from the Furnaj, Ain Zara, and Tarik Shok districts.
Responding to the medical urgency, the Health Ministry has initiated a blood donation drive. Ambulance service Spokesman, Osama Ali stated that 19 individuals were maimed, and 26 families were evacuated from conflict-stricken areas.
The recent events, especially surrounding Hamza’s arrest and release, spotlight the fragile stability of Tripoli and the larger Libyan context. Following the 2011 NATO
...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A collection of multinational and multilingual and multicultural armed forces, all of differing capabilities, working toward a common goal by pulling in different directions...
-backed uprising, Libya has been on a tumultuous path, with its eastern and western regions frequently at loggerheads. While efforts for a lasting political solution remain a challenge, the current focus undeniably remains on the pivotal role played by militia leaders in shaping the country’s destiny.
| Courtesy of badanov, Regnum adds: |
“As a result of armed clashes in Tripoli, 27 people were killed and 106 were injured,” the Center said.
In addition, 134 families were evacuated due to clashes in the Libyan capital.