The Interior Ministry of Libya’s outgoing Government of National Unity announced on Sunday that a large explosion occurred at the headquarters of the Martyr Sabriya Battalion in Tajoura, which is under the control of the unity government.
According to the ministry’s statement, the explosion resulted in the presence of human remains and body parts at the scene.
The ministry confirmed that the Director of Security in Tajoura, along with members from the emergency response unit and the criminal investigation department, arrived at the site to undertake forensic procedures. The event was also attended by personnel from the criminal investigation agency and the military intelligence’s demining office.
The ministry further explained that the fire caused by the explosion was extinguished by members of the National Safety Authority, and the investigation has been referred to the military prosecutor based on instructions from the Attorney General’s Office.
Recent clashes in Tajoura, an eastern suburb of Tripoli, erupted on August 9, 2024, between two state-recognized militias: the Rahbat Al-Duroo Battalion and the Martyr Sabriya Battalion. The violence began following an alleged assassination attempt on the commander of Rahbat Al-Duroo. The resulting skirmishes, involving the use of light and medium weaponry, led to nine deaths and 16 injuries, including civilians.
The conflict has escalated tensions in the area, with the Rahbat Al-Duroo Battalion reportedly taking control of the Martyr Sabriya Battalion’s headquarters. The clashes have sparked widespread concern, with authorities urging residents to avoid the conflict zones and advising them to take alternate routes.
These incidents are part of a broader pattern of instability in the region, where rival militias frequently vie for power, leading to sporadic outbreaks of violence that threaten the fragile peace in Libya. Further clashes in the area remain a possibility, with heightened security measures expected in response to the ongoing tensions.
