On Wednesday, Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, deemed the 2011 assassination of the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, as a catastrophic error that caused the subsequent political turmoil that has since plagued Libya and reverberated across Africa.
Tajani stated, “Gaddafi’s assassination was undoubtedly a grave mistake. Although he wasn’t a beacon of democracy, his departure set off a wave of instability that still affects Libya and the broader African region.”
Recent developments underscore the Italian government’s growing concern about the volatile situation in Tripoli, particularly in light of ongoing clashes between rival armed groups.
Fierce fighting broke out on Monday night and continued through Tuesday in Tripoli, Libya, between the influential 444 Brigade and the Al-Radaa, or Special Deterrence Force.
Libya’s Emergency Medical Centre reported a new death toll, with 27 people dead and 106 wounded during the two-day fighting in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
These clashes underscore the ongoing power struggles among various militias since the overthrow of former dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Last year, Tripoli witnessed battles between rival administrations, resulting in 32 fatalities and 159 injuries.
The clashes were triggered by the detention of Colonel Mahmud Hamza, the commander of the 444 Brigade, by the rival Al-Radaa Force on Monday.
However, late on Tuesday, an agreement was reached between the social council in the southeastern suburb of Souq el-Joumaa, aligned with the Al-Radaa force, and Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdul-Hamid Dbaiba—the agreement involved handing over Hamza to a neutral party, followed by a ceasefire. As a result, the intensity of the fighting subsided.
Both armed groups involved in the clashes are aligned with Dbeibah’s government. The conflict forced the evacuation of 234 families from the frontline areas in Tripoli’s southern suburbs, along with dozens of doctors and paramedics providing care to the wounded.
Notably, the French Embassy has expressed grave concerns about the unfolding violence, especially its ramifications on the local civilian population.
The US Embassy’s response has been forthright, emphasizing the critical importance of preserving civilian lives. As well as pushing for an immediate cessation of hostilities to maintain Libya’s recent progress toward a more stable state and forthcoming elections.
Moreover, the UK Ambassador to Libya, Caroline Hurndall, has voiced her concerns about the spiraling violence in the capital, stressing that the lives of civilians must be safeguarded at all costs.
Germany’s Ambassador, Michael Ohnmacht called on all involved parties to end the violence and curb the escalations. Echoing Bathily’s sentiments, Ohnmacht urged, “All sides must cease the violence and act towards de-escalation.”
