Fighting In Libya’s Capital Tripoli Intensified Again

Libya sank into lawlessness and divisions after the downfall of the longtime dictator adhafi in 2011.

Tripoli is experiencing a state of tension and alert between armed groups deployed in the city for several weeks now. The friction between these groups has grown considerably due to the recent escalation of killings and kidnapping in the capital.

(Alalam)

Earlier today heavy fighting broke out between the Misrata Brigade allied militias within Libya and the interim governmental troops of the Government of National Accord, or the GNA....

The Misrata Brigades which formed in 2011 during the Libyan revolution are considered to have been loyal to the now deceased Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. The Brigade is reported to have taken control of the majority of the Qaddafi regime’s weapons and have been actively arming its militias in its area of control within Misrata, Sirte and Tripoli itself. Unconfirmed reporting continues out of the hot zone that more of the Brigades militias have been activated and are moving towards Tripoli to assist the Brigade elements already fighting with pro-GNA forces. GNA forces have closed off all roads leading to the Mitiga International Airport, all air traffic into and out of Tripoli has been shutdown as well.

The Government of National Accord was created in December 2015 out of the highly contested General National Congress due to several factions voicing concerns over little representation of minority Islamist parties within Libya. The intent of the GNA was to establish an interim governing body within Libya that recognized and shared collective power with rival Islamist-led factions also seeking governmental representation. The United Nations proctored the transition with little success as no one group could agree to the various terms presented and thus was resisted by most if not all of the rival factions. The latest clashes to break out are expected to only get worse and more dangerous as the infighting in Tripoli becomes more intense and is focused on a densely populated urban area in the city. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli’s website still has a travel advisory for Libya in place by warning U.S. citizens from traveling to Libya as well as recommending any U.S. citizens currently in Libya to depart immediately.

(SOFREP)

The brigade said the reason of the attack is that the armed force was involved in murders, banditry, kidnap and smuggling the illegal immigrants despite the fact that the armed group is part of the Central Security Department of the Interior Ministry.

(The Libya Observer)