international NewsTrending & Latest News

Fighting calms in Libyan capital after truce announced

Libyan Soldiers of the 444 Brigade stand guard at Abu Salim area, in Tripoli, Libya, May 13, 2025

May 14 — The worst fighting in Libya’s capital for years calmed down on Wednesday an hour after the government announced a ceasefire, Tripoli residents said, with no immediate statement from authorities on how many people had been killed.

Clashes broke out late on Monday after the killing of a major militia leader. After calming on Tuesday morning, the fighting reignited overnight, with major battles rocking districts across the entire city.

“Regular forces, in coordination with the relevant security authorities, have begun taking the necessary measures to ensure calm, including the deployment of neutral units,” the government’s defence ministry said.

The ministry said the neutral units it was deploying around sensitive sites were from the police force, which does not carry heavy weapons.

The United Nations Libya mission UNSMIL said it was “deeply alarmed by the escalating violence in densely populated neighbourhoods of Tripoli” and urgently called for a ceasefire.

Monday’s clashes had appeared to consolidate the power of Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, prime minister of the divided country’s Government of National Unity (GNU) and an ally of Turkey.

However, any prolonged fighting within Tripoli risks drawing in factions from outside the capital, potentially leading to a wider escalation between Libya’s many armed players after years of relative calm.

The main fighting on Wednesday was between the Dbeibah-aligned 444 Brigade and the Special Deterrence Force (Rada), the last major armed Tripoli faction not currently in his camp, the English-language Libyan Observer reported.

Fighting also erupted in western areas of Tripoli that have historically been a gateway for armed factions from Zawiya, a town to the west of the capital.

Tripoli residents trapped in their homes by the fighting voiced horror at the sudden eruption of violence, which had followed weeks of growing tensions among armed factions.

“It’s terrorizing to witness all this intense fighting. I had my family in one room to avoid random shelling,” said a father of three in the Dahra area.

Related posts

Drone attacks cut power across Khartoum state two years into Sudan war

ndiwalanakiwa@gmail.com

Anger and Disbelief as Voters Go Missing from NRM Register in Nakawa East

Barbra Zeka

American Baseball player, Passed Away On This Day

Ssekanyumiza Amansa Bwino

Mugisha Muntu Official Nominated as ANT Presidential Flag Bearer for 2026

Barbra Zeka

Pakistan’s monsoon rains kill at least 180 after 63 die in 24 hours

ndiwalanakiwa@gmail.com

South Africa Ranked as World’s Most Dangerous Country to Drive In

Ssekanyumiza Amansa Bwino

DCIC Nets 177 Illegal Immigrants in Kampala Crackdown

Barbra Zeka

The Unexpected Collaboration: Fresh Kid Meets With His Roll Model DJ Arch

Ssekanyumiza Amansa Bwino

Nigeria declares public holiday to honour former leader who died aged 82

ndiwalanakiwa@gmail.com

African Solutions for African Problems: M23 Issue Requires Homegrown Approach

Ssekanyumiza Amansa Bwino

Leave a Comment