Festivities for Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan, were disrupted in Libya’s capital, Tripoli, as clashes erupted between powerful armed groups.
Local media reported exchanges of gunfire, including heavy weapons, lasting for about an hour overnight on Thursday.
While no casualties were reported, the violence sparked panic among residents celebrating Eid.
This incident highlights the ongoing struggle for stability in Libya.
The oil-rich nation has been grappling with factional violence since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi.
Although the past few years have seen a relative calm, periodic clashes erupt between the numerous armed groups that emerged during the power vacuum.
The latest violence involved the Stability Support Authority (SSA) and the Special Deterrence Force (Radaa).
The cause remains unclear, but local media suggest it stemmed from tit-for-tat detentions of members from each group. Thankfully, both sides released the detainees later that night.
The incident underscores the precarious security situation in Libya.
The SSA and Radaa, like many armed groups, operate largely outside the control of the official ministries.
While they receive government funding, they maintain autonomy and often control key checkpoints in the capital.
The UN mission in Libya (UNSMIL) condemned the violence and the “chronic insecurity” plaguing the country.
They called for prioritizing elections to establish a legitimate government and hold those responsible for the clashes accountable.
This recent incident comes after a period of relative calm in Tripoli. In February, Interior Minister Imad Trabelsi announced plans for armed groups to withdraw from the capital and be replaced by regular security forces.
However, no concrete timeline was established.
Libya remains divided between the UN-recognized government in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east.
The continued presence and power of armed groups pose a significant challenge to achieving lasting peace and stability in the country.
