Killing of Libya militia leader sparks violent clashes in Tripoli

The killing of Abdelghani al-Kikli on Monday, head of Libya's Support and Stability Apparatus and one of Tripoli’s most powerful militia leaders, has triggered intense fighting across the capital, leaving at least six people dead and plunging the city into a new wave of armed chaos by Tuesday morning.

Al-Kikli, also known as 'Ghneiwa', was shot dead late on Monday during a meeting at the Tekbali military camp in southeast Tripoli, according to security and medical sources cited by The New Arab's Arabic language edition, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

The meeting was reportedly convened to de-escalate mounting tensions among armed factions, but turned violent when guards from rival groups exchanged fire outside the gathering.

Al-Kikli and several of his escorts were killed in the shootout. Members of the 444th and 111th Brigades, both affiliated with the Ministry of Defence, were also reportedly present.

Videos circulating on social media from inside Tekbali camp appear to show al-Kikli's body alongside armed men believed to be part of his entourage.

Escalating tensions 

By Tuesday morning, fighting had engulfed several areas in southern Tripoli, particularly Abu Salim and the adjacent Mashrou al-Hadhba district, where the Support and Stability Apparatus was headquartered.

In the wake of the violence, Libya's defence ministry declared operations in Abu Salim complete, with Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah claiming the offensive demonstrated the state's ability to "protect the homeland and preserve the dignity of citizens".

The interior ministry issued multiple statements urging residents to remain indoors, while the health ministry declared a state of emergency across Tripoli's hospitals.

The clashes forced authorities to suspend flights at Mitiga International Airport, transferring aircraft to Misrata. Schools were also shut down across the capital, and streets in many districts remained deserted.

Ibrahim al-Khalifi, the mayor of Tripoli, confirmed that gunfire had largely subsided by early Tuesday but said movement in many neighbourhoods remained halted.

Al-Kikli was a key player in Libya's post-2011 armed landscape. A civilian before the 2011 uprising, he founded a militia in the Abu Salim district after Muammar Gaddafi's fall.

His forces later played a central role in the 2015 Libya Dawn operation and were incorporated into official state structures in 2016 under the interior ministry.

Under the Government of National Accord, al-Kikli’s influence grew, culminating in the formation of the Support and Stability Apparatus under the Presidency Council.

His power extended well beyond Tripoli into Gharyan to the west and Zliten to the east, and he was widely seen as one of the city’s four major militia commanders alongside the Special Deterrence Force, the 444th Brigade, and the 111th Brigade.

His group played a leading role in the 2019–2020 "Volcano of Rage" operation that repelled warlord Khalifa Haftar's attempt to capture Tripoli.

Libya remains divided between two rival governments, the UN-recognised administration based in Tripoli and a competing authority led by Haftar in Benghazi. The two sides have fought multiple times, most notably during Haftar's 2019–2020 assault on the capital.

Efforts to unify the country and hold national elections have repeatedly failed since Libya split politically in 2014, following the NATO-backed overthrow of Gaddafi in 2011. Attempts to consolidate authority through a single military or civilian structure have so far collapsed under competing factions and shifting allegiances.

Tensions had been mounting in the capital for days, reportedly due to a struggle over control of administrative buildings and influence over key state appointments.

Videos shared by activists on Monday night showed convoys from Misrata's Joint Force and Zintan-based units loyal to Interior Minister Imad Trabelsi moving toward Tripoli.

These groups are aligned with the Government of National Unity (GNU) and appear to have taken part in raids targeting al-Kikli’s bases.

UN's Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), expressed alarm over the situation, calling for "an immediate de-escalation and an end to provocative actions".

The US embassy in Libya echoed the call for restraint and shared the UN's statement. Both urged armed groups to protect civilians and settle disputes through dialogue.

The clashes come just days after the UN mission began consultations on electoral law proposals aimed at breaking Libya's political deadlock.