UN urges de-escalation as clashes erupt in Tripoli following militia leader’s killing PHOTO/VIDEO

The United Nations has issued an urgent call for de-escalation in Libya’s capital, Tripoli, after deadly clashes broke out in the city’s southern districts following the killing of a prominent militia leader.

Rival armed groups exchanged heavy gunfire and explosions late evening on May 12, intensifying concerns over civilian safety and escalating tensions, Caliber.Az reports, citing Al Jazeera.

Al Jazeera’s Malik Traina, reporting from Libya’s Misrata, said security sources had confirmed the killing of Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, widely known as “Gheniwa”, who is the head of the powerful Stability Support Authority (SSA) militia. Al-Kikli, a key figure in Tripoli’s militia scene, was killed on the night of May 11 to 12, triggering violent clashes that disrupted several neighbourhoods. The SSA, which is affiliated with the Government of National Unity (GNU) under Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, had recently been embroiled in conflicts with rival factions, including armed groups linked to Misrata.

Traina said that at least six people have been wounded, although it remains unclear whether they are security force members or civilians.

UN alarmed by security situation

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) expressed alarm at the escalating violence, which has reportedly involved heavy weaponry in densely populated areas. In a statement issued early on May 12, UNSMIL called for an immediate halt to the fighting and urged all parties to protect civilians, reminding them of their obligations under international law.

“UNSMIL is deeply concerned by the unfolding security situation in Tripoli,” the statement read. “We call on all parties to cease hostilities and restore calm, supporting efforts to protect civilians and minimize harm.”

Local mediation efforts, particularly those led by community elders, have been supported by the UN in hopes of defusing tensions. However, as of yet, there has been no sign of a resolution.

Emergency measures and public concerns

Amid the clashes, the GNU imposed an emergency lockdown, urging residents to stay indoors. Schools across Tripoli are closed on May 13, with the Ministry of Education citing the worsening security situation. The Ministry of Internal Affairs also warned of potential further instability, advising against movement throughout the city.

Footage and witness accounts paint a grim picture of the situation. Residents reported hearing the sounds of heavy gunfire and explosions, with one witness describing “red lights in the sky.” Several areas of Tripoli, including Abu Salim and Salah Eddin, were heavily affected by the violence, with convoys arriving from various regions, including Misrata, Az-Zawiyah, and Zintan, leading to suspicions of preparation for further military action.

Growing anger and calls for justice

The renewed violence has sparked growing anger among Tripoli’s residents, many of whom are frustrated with the persistent clashes between armed groups. Locals have expressed their desire for accountability, highlighting the toll these conflicts have taken on civilian lives and infrastructure.

“Every time these armed groups fight, civilians are caught in the crossfire,” said Al Jazeera’s Malik Traina, reporting from nearby Misrata. “The people are demanding justice. They want the authorities to hold those behind the violence accountable.”

Libya has been in a state of political and security turmoil since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. Over the past decade, the country has been divided between rival governments in the east and west, each backed by various militias and foreign actors. The ongoing instability continues to devastate the country’s infrastructure, economy, and civilian population.

By Khagan Isayev