Tensions rise in Tripoli as negotiations between rival Libyan militias stall

Talks between the Prime Minister of Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdelhamid Dbeiba, and the Special Deterrence Forces (Rada) concluded without consensus on Monday night.

The situation was further intensified after Rada detained the leader of the opposing militia, Brigade 444’s Mahmoud Hamza, leading to armed skirmishes in the capital.

Shortly after the unsuccessful discussions, renewed hostilities erupted in Ain Zara, a suburb of Tripoli.

Drone-launched projectiles hit close to a shopping complex, injuring several civilians and near Mitiga airbase.

Due to the rising tensions, all commercial flights, including government planes, from the airport were either canceled or diverted primarily to Misrata, located 200 kilometers away.

Osama Ali, the Ambulance and Emergency Services spokesperson mentioned the lingering security concerns have prevented residents from returning to their homes.

The Ministry of Education also postponed secondary school exams in the affected regions.

Hamza was forcibly removed from his flight en route to a military graduation event in Misrata, an area under Dbeiba’s influence, teeming with various armed groups.

In retaliation, Brigade 444 took several members of the opposing militia into custody.

Both Brigade 444 and Rada, Tripoli’s most dominant militias, have backed Dbeiba against the parallel administration in the eastern part of the nation.

Rada has ties to the Presidential Council, which holds certain executive powers.

Despite the current unrest, Libya witnessed relative tranquility following significant armed confrontations last summer.

Political leaders had previously agreed upon a roadmap aiming for general elections, intending to conclude the unstable transition that began with the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.