The UN is seeking emergency emissions in Libyan capital Tripoli as rival gunmen exchanged fires in the city’s southern districts after authorities imposed emergency closures after the killing of powerful militia leaders.
The appeal came early on Tuesday after reporting hearing severe gunshots and explosions in multiple regions from local time (19:00 GMT) on Monday.
Reported by Libya’s srata, Malik Train, Malik Train, said security sources confirmed the murder of Abdel Ghani al-Kikuri, widely known as “Geniwa.”
The shooting and collision consumed several parts of Tripoli.
Al-Kikuri is one of the capital’s most influential militia leaders and has recently been involved in conflict with rival armed groups, including factions associated with Misrata. His SSA is under the Presidential Council and took power with Abdul Hamid Dubaiba’s National Unified Government (GNU) through an unrecognized process in 2021.
Traina said at least six people were injured, but it remains unknown whether they are members of security forces or civilians.
In a statement shortly after the clash began, Libya’s UN Support Mission (UNSMIL) said it was “watching the security situation in Tripoli, and fighting fierce battles against heavy weapons in densely populated civilian regions.”
Unsmil added: “We call on all parties to immediately stop fighting and recover gently, reminding all parties of their obligation to protect civilians at all times.”
Unsmil is wary of the security situation in Tripoli, and there is a fierce battle against heavy weapons in a populated civilian region.
The mission calls on all involved to immediately stop the fight, calmly recover, and reminds all involved of their obligations to…pic.twitter.com/sz8okgz1p8– Unsmil (@unsmilibya) May 12, 2025
Unsmil expressed support for local mediation efforts, particularly those led by elders and community leaders, highlighting the need to protect civilians amid growing tensions.
Schools were closed and residents were told to stay indoors
The GNU Home Ministry urged residents to avoid staying at home, avoiding movement and warning of further instability, but the Ministry of Education suspended classes in Tripoli on Tuesday, citing worsening security situations.
GNU’s media platform said early on Tuesday that the Ministry of Defense had full control over the area around Absalim.
“We heard the fierce gunshots and saw red light in the sky,” one resident told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
The other two told Reuters that the shooting was echoing through Abu Salim and Sarah Edin’s neighborhoods.
Videos and images online showed feathers of black smoke in the sounds of gunfires and armed men on streets and convoys entering the city.
Video validated by Al Jazeera’s Sanad Fact-Checking Agency captured the sounds of midstream shootings in several areas, including those known to operate SSA militias.
Some districts have seen what local sources call “suspecting military operations,” and fleets arrive from Az Zawya, Jintan and Misrata, and are seen as a preparation for a possible showdown in the capital.
Al Jazeera’s Trainna said the new clash spurred anger and worry.
“People are angry that every time these armed groups clash, civilians get caught up in a crossfire,” he said, adding that residents are demanding “accountability.”
“When these groups fight and people are killed, no one is responsible. Local people want justice and they hope that the authorities will hold the people behind the violence accountable,” he said.
Libya fell into chaos after a NATO-backed uprising in 2011 that killed Libyan leader Muammar Gadafi. The oil-rich nation has been supported by rival governments in the East and West Libya over the past decade by an array of fighter jet groups and foreign organizations.
