2025 Tripoli clashes

The clashes broke out at about 9:00{{nbsp}}p.m. after the assassination of Stability Support Apparatus (SSA) commander Abdul Ghani al-Kikli, referred to as "Ghaniwa" and several of his escorts during a meeting reportedly convened to de-escalate mounting tensions among armed factions at the Tekbali military camp, but guards from rival group 444th Brigade exchanged fire outside of the gathering.{{cite news |last=Genn |first=James |title=Libya's Government of National Unity declares state of emergency |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-853734 |work=The Jerusalem Post |agency=Reuters |date=2025-05-13 |access-date=2025-05-12}}

After the GNU retained control of their territories, more fighting broke out late May 13 and the early hours of May 14th between the RADA Special Deterrence Forces and the 444th Brigade.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-14 |title=Clashes escalate in Tripoli as Government of National Unity clamps down on rival factions |url=https://themalteseherald.com/2025/05/14/clashes-escalate-in-tripoli-as-government-of-national-unity-clamps-down-on-rival-factions-in-tripoli/ |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=The Maltese Herald |language=en-GB}} Civilians reported hearing gunshots and explosions around midnight along with armed militant groups being deployed.{{Cite web |title=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/middleeast/libya-announces-truce-between-rival-factions-as-prisoners-escape-in-tripoli/ar-AA1EK3nC?ocid=StaticFallback |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=www.msn.com}} Militia groups from neighboring Zawiya reportedly joined the fighting in support of the Special Deterrence Forces.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-14 |title=Fresh gunbattles rock Libya capital after brief lull |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250514-fresh-gunbattles-rock-libya-capital-after-brief-lull |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=France 24 |language=en}} Major fighting took place near the Al Jadida prison, where inmates were reported to have escaped during the fighting. Authorities had announced a ceasefire May 14, although gunshots were still heard in western Tripoli. The 444th Brigade reportedly took control of the Port of Tripoli, the Rajma headquarters, the al-Ruwaimi prison, Ain Zara, al-Jadidah and the headquarters of the Illegal Immigration Agency.{{Cite news |date=May 14, 2025 |title=اشتباكات عنيفة في طرابلس بين قوات الردع واللواء 444 قتال |trans-title=Violent clashes in Tripoli between the Deterrence Forces and the 444th Combat Brigade. |url= https://www.masrawy.com/news/news_publicaffairs/details/2025/5/14/2787241/اشتباكات-عنيفة-في-طرابلس-بين-قوات-الردع-واللواء-444-قتال- |access-date=May 13, 2025 |publisher=Masrawy |language=Arabic}}

On May 15, an armed group linked to the Government of National Accord (GNA) opened fire on protesters demanding a ceasefire and the government's resignation, causing an unknown number of casualties. Earlier, unknown assailants attemped to assassinate Ali al-Jabbari, leader of an armed group affiliated with the GNA.{{Cite news |date=May 15, 2025 |title=À Tripoli, un groupe armé lié au GUN ouvre le feu sur des manifestants |trans-title=In Tripoli, an armed group linked to the GNA opens fire on protesters |url=https://afrinz.ru/fr/2025/05/a-tripoli-un-groupe-arme-lie-au-gun-ouvre-le-feu-sur-des-manifestants/ |access-date=May 15, 2025 |publisher=African Initiative |language=fr}} Residents reported heavy clashes and gunfire occurred at multiple places in Tripoli, with dozens of vehicles carrying militia fighters in the streets. Videos showed military convoys from Misrata's Joint Force and Zintan-based units loyal to Interior Minister Imed Trabelsi moving toward Tripoli. Flights at Mitiga International Airport were suspended, schools were cancelled and districts were deserted.{{Cite news |date=May 13, 2025 |title=Killing of Libya militia leader sparks violent clashes in Tripoli |url=https://www.newarab.com/news/killing-libya-militia-leader-sparks-deadly-clashes-tripoli |access-date=May 13, 2025 |publisher=The New Arab}} Firefights were reported to be especially intense in the neighborhoods of Abu Salim and Salah Eddin.

Once fighting had slowed, protests began in the RADA-controlled Souq el-Joumaa neighborhood, with more than 500 people expressing disdain with the Dbeibeh government.{{cite web |date=15 May 2025 |title=Streetfight continues in Libiya: Protest errupts against the Dbeibah government |url=https://www.wionews.com/world/streetfight-continues-in-libiya-protest-errupts-against-against-the-dbeibah-government-9070004 |website=Wion |language=en}} A security personnel for the GNU was killed during the protests, when protesters attempted to storm his office.{{Cite news |date=2025-05-16 |title=Libyan protesters demand prime minister quit as three ministers resign |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-libyan-protesters-demand-prime-minister-quit-as-three-ministers-resign/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |work=The Globe and Mail |language=en-CA}}

On 19 May, the UNSMIL and the Libyan Presidential Council a "truce committee" chaired by Mohamed Al-Haddad, the Chief of General Staff of the Libyan Army, to oversee the ceasefire.

On May 24, protests resumed in Tripoli and Zawiya, calling for an end to the Government of National Unity headed by Abdul Hamid Dabaiba, the departure of all political bodies, and the dissolution of all armed militias, also calling the UN mission in Libya to intervene and provide assistance. They threatened to continue the escalation and shut down all government institutions within 24 hours.{{Cite web |date=2025-05-25 |title=تظاهرات في طرابلس والزاوية تطالب بإسقاط حكومة الدبيبة |url=https://www.alarabiya.net/north-africa/2025/05/25/%D8%AA%D8%B8%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%B3-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B7-%D8%AD%D9%83%D9%88%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A8%D8%A9 |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=العربية |language=ar}} But nothing seems to have happened after the deadline.

The interior ministry of the Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU) requested civilians shelter in place during the fighting for their own safety.{{cite web |title=Armed clashes erupt in Libya's Tripoli after reported killing of armed group leader |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/armed-clashes-erupt-libyas-tripoli-after-reported-killing-armed-group-leader-2025-05-12/ |work=Reuters |date=12 May 2025 |access-date=13 May 2025}} The GNU also said on its media platform that the Ministry of Defence had fully taken control of the Abu Salim neighbourhood.{{Cite web |title=Heavy gunfire, clashes in Libya's Tripoli after killing of militia leader |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/12/un-urges-calm-as-heavy-fire-clashes-erupt-in-libyas-tripoli |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}} The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) released a statement on 12 May that they were alarmed by the situation, commenting specifically on the intense fighting involving heavy weaponry in urban centers. They further called for an immediate ceasefire and urged both sides to protect civilians, additionally calling on community elders and leaders to de-escalate the situation.{{cite tweet |user=UNSMILibya |number=1922046224112484861 |title=UNSMIL urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid escalation in Tripoli. The Mission is deeply concerned about the ongoing clashes and their impact on civilians. |date=2025-05-12 |access-date=2025-05-12}}{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Satyam |title=Watch: Armed clashes erupt in Tripoli after reported killing of Libya's SSA head |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/watch-armed-clashes-erupt-in-tripoli-after-reported-killing-of-libyas-ssa-head-glbs-2723837-2025-05-13 |work=India Today |date=2025-05-13 |access-date=2025-05-12}} Ibrahim al-Khalifi, the mayor of Tripoli, confirmed that gunfire had largely subsided by early Tuesday but said movement in many neighbourhoods remained halted.

• United Nations Mission: The mission in Libya urged calm amidst reports of escalating tensions in the capital, stating, "Reports indicate military mobilization and rising tensions in Tripoli and the western region in general." The mission called on all parties to de-escalate immediately.{{Cite web |title=Heavy gunfire, clashes in Libya’s Tripoli after killing of militia leader |url=https://alwasat.ly/news/libya/476543 |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=عودة الهدوء إلى طرابلس بعد اشتباكات أودت بحياة عسكريين منهم ضابط كبير |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/news/2025/5/12/%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AC%D9%84-%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D9%86%D9%8A |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=الجزيرة نت |language=ar}}
• U.S. Embassy in Libya: The embassy joined the United Nations Support Mission in Libya in calling for calm.{{Cite web |title=قبل ساعات من مقتل الككلي.. ماذا حدث في طرابلس؟ |url=https://www.skynewsarabia.com/middle-east/1795833-%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D9%83%D9%84%D9%8A-%D8%AD%D8%AF%D8%AB-%D8%B7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%9F |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=سكاي نيوز عربية |language=ar}}
• Turkish Embassy in Libya: The embassy advised its citizens residing in the capital, Tripoli, to exercise caution and issued an official notice urging them to adhere to the Ministry of Interior's advisory from the Government of National Unity to avoid leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary.{{Cite web |last=الأحرار |first=ليبيا |date=2025-05-12 |title=تحسباً للتوترات الأمنية.. سفارتا تركيا وبنغلاديش تحثان رعاياهما في طرابلس على البقاء بمنازلهم |url=https://libyaalahrar.tv/2025/05/12/%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B3%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%8B-%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B3%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA%D8%A7-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%8A%D8%A7/ |access-date=2025-05-13 |website=ليبيا الأحرار |language=ar}}
• Bangladeshi Embassy in Libya: The embassy urged its citizens in Libya to "take necessary precautions and stay at home due to the situation in the capital."

• 2022 Tripoli clashes
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