Rival Factions Exchange Fire in Libya’s Capital on Holiday
Fighting broke out on Monday between rival armed groups in Tripoli during Eid al-Adha celebrations, violating a truce agreed by factions operating in Libya’s capital. The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) condemned the clashes and urged all sides to respect the ceasefire and avoid further escalation.
In a statement, UNSMIL warned that “when conflict occurs in urban areas, the propensity for civilian casualties is very high,” and called on factions to commit to dialogue through the established truce mechanism. The mission echoed the UN Security Council’s demand that those responsible for attacks on civilians be held accountable.
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The Libyan Defense Ministry confirmed that the violence had subsided and warned that any repeat violations would prompt action. It also reiterated its commitment to maintaining public security.
Although no casualties have been reported, eyewitness accounts described panic in residential areas during the firefight. The clashes followed a pattern of instability in the capital, which has seen repeated flare-ups. Just last month, heavy fighting erupted between forces loyal to the UN-backed Government of National Unity (GNU) and the Stability Support Apparatus, a well-armed faction based in Tripoli.
Libya has remained fragmented since the 2011 NATO-led intervention that removed Moammar Gadhafi. The country is currently divided between the GNU in the west and a rival eastern administration supported by the Libyan National Army, headed by Khalifa Haftar. Despite international efforts, Tripoli remains a battleground for competing factions, complicating efforts to unify Libya’s security forces and achieve lasting political stability.
