Western Libya Ablaze: Bloody Clashes Turn Streets into Warzones

Western Libyan cities have recently been experiencing an unprecedented state of insecurity,as armed clashes between militias continue over the control of territory and strategic facilities.

These confrontations have resulted in many deaths and injuries, most of them civilians, reflecting the extent of the chaos sweeping through the region amid a clear absence of governmental authority.

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In the capital Tripoli, tensions flared again with the movements of armed militias arriving from the city of Misrata.

A tragic incident occurred near Tripoli University, where a student and a female student were wounded by shrapnel from a projectile that fell during the passage of an armed convoy. The convoy fired randomly to intimidate passersby and display force. Both students were taken to the hospital in critical condition.

In the city of Zawiya, west of the capital, clashes escalated around the oil refinery between the “Kabawat” militia led by Othman Al-Lahib and elements of the “Security Threat Response Unit” affiliated with Harsha. The violent confrontations spread into residential neighborhoods, leaving casualties, including a security officer and a young civilian named Wasim, as well as numerous injuries. Many homes and businesses were damaged, forcing residents to live in a state of fear and anxiety.

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As these events intensify, the National Human Rights Committee in Libya warned of rising crime rates and severe human rights violations in western Libyan cities. The committee reported six extrajudicial killings and three armed attacks on civilians, including children. It also confirmed serious security breaches and widespread chaos in several areas.

Observers believe these clashes are not mere isolated security incidents but are part of a long-standing power struggle between armed militias competing for control of economic strongholds, such as border crossings and oil facilities—especially the Zawiya refinery—amid a total absence of government institutions. This has turned western Libya into an open arena for armed rivalry and interest-based conflict.

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Libyan military analyst Mohamed Al-Tarhouni stated that the fundamental solution lies in dismantling the militias, disarming them, and removing them from urban areas. He emphasized the need to integrate rehabilitable individuals into state institutions according to professional and qualified standards.

He further pointed out that the continued absence of the state, widespread corruption, and the prevalence of impunity strengthen the militias and grant them increased influence at the expense of security and stability.

Al-Tarhouni called for the activation of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission and for efforts to unify the Libyan military institution. He stressed the importance of obtaining genuine international support to restore security and end the chaos of uncontrolled weapons, which now threatens civilian lives and the country’s future stability.

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