Tripoli — May 10, 2024 —
The city of Tripoli is experiencing violent upheaval following the death of militia leader Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, also known as Gheniwa. The clashes, resulting in meaningful casualties, have exacerbated existing tensions and instability within the heavily militarised and politically divided nation. Al-Kikli’s death has ignited immediate clashes, causing widespread chaos. International observers should continue to monitor the situation closely, with a view to de‑escalation.
Tripoli Engulfed in Clashes Following Death of Powerful Militia Leader
Tripoli is reeling from intense armed clashes triggered by the death of Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, also known as Gheniwa, the head of the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA). Mr. al-Kikli’s militia has faced severe accusations, including the abuse of asylum seekers and allegations of crimes against humanity. The violence has resulted in at least six fatalities,according to Libya’s Emergency Medicine and Support Center.
The Death of Gheniwa al-Kikli
- Circumstances: Mr.al-Kikli, a prominent figure in Tripoli’s militia landscape, was killed Monday night at the headquarters of the 444th Combat Brigade of the libyan army, according to a source within the country’s security forces who spoke to Al Wasat television.
- Background: Mr. al-Kikli’s SSA, based in the Abu Salim neighborhood, is one of Tripoli’s most powerful armed groups. He had recently been embroiled in disputes with rival factions, including those linked to Misrata.
- Political Ties: The SSA operates under the presidential Council, which assumed power in 2021 with the Government of National Unity (GNU) led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, through a United Nations-backed process.
Immediate Aftermath: Clashes and Chaos
Reports of Mr. al-Kikli’s death ignited immediate violence. Armed clashes erupted overnight
and gunfire reverberated throughout Tripoli, including the city centre and neighborhoods like Abu Salim and Salah Eddin.
The GNU’s interior ministry issued an urgent plea, calling on citizens to stay at home for their own safety.
This announcement led to chaotic scenes, with drivers speeding and honking through the streets of Tripoli.
One resident recounted the intensity of the situation to Reuters: I heard heavy gunfire and I saw red lights in the sky.
International Response and Concerns
The United nations mission in libya has urged all parties to promptly cease fighting and restore calm,
reminding them of their obligation to protect civilians. The UN further emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, Attacks on civilians and civilian objects may amount to war crimes.
Allegations of Human Rights Abuses
Mr. al-Kikli’s SSA has been implicated in severe human rights abuses.Amnesty International and the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) have identified the group as a primary perpetrator of violence within Libya’s detention centers.
A 2024 UN Security Council panel of experts report described Mr. al-Kikli as a central figure in Libya’s power dynamics, alleging his involvement in militia financing through corrupt practices.
The ECCHR filed a 189-page complaint to the International Criminal Court in 2022, listing Mr.al-Kikli as a potential co-perpetrator of crimes against humanity related to the systematic abuse of migrants and refugees.
It can come as no surprise that al-Kikli’s militia is yet again involved in horrific crimes – whether against migrants and refugees or Libyans. For over a decade, militias under his command terrorised people in the Tripoli neighbourhood of Abu Salim through enforced disappearances, torture, unlawful killings and other crimes under international law. He should be investigated and, if there is enough admissible evidence, prosecuted in a fair trial.
Diana Eltahawy, Deputy Regional Director for the middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, in a 2022 report
Libya’s Ongoing instability
Libya remains a meaningful transit point for asylum seekers attempting to reach Europe. Human rights organizations have consistently documented the vulnerability of migrants within the country, where they are often subjected to abuse by militias and smugglers. Tens of thousands of individuals from sub-Saharan Africa are held indefinitely in overcrowded detention centers, where they face abuses and torture.
The nation, a major oil producer in the Mediterranean, has struggled with instability as the 2011 uprising. The country split in 2014 between eastern and western factions. While a ceasefire in 2020 halted major fighting, efforts to resolve the political crisis have been unsuccessful, with factions frequently engaging in armed clashes to control Libya’s economic resources.
