Human trafficking and smuggling … Militias in western Libya fight for their share

Skirmishes and battles between Libyan militias resumed in the west of the country in the city of Zaouïa on Sunday evening.

Security sources in the city reported clashes between the militias known as “Kabawat”, “al-Far” and “al-Qasab” that broke out on the road to Skirmishes and battles between Libyan militias resumed in the west of the country in the city of Zaouïa on Sunday evening.

The same sources noted that the renewed clashes are taking place between the militias of the city of Zaouïa, led by Mohamed Bahrun, known as “Al-Far,” one of Turkey’s allies, and the militia of the so-called “Kabawat,” led by “Ruby.”

The sources revealed that the battles between the militias are ongoing in the cities of Ajaylat and Zaouïa to traffic in and exploit illegal immigrants.

Eyewitnesses said that civilians in the city were terrified by the sound of bullets and shells, some of which fell randomly on houses.

No injuries were reported, and large areas of the city are suffering from a disruption in Internet coverage due to these clashes.

Al-Far and Ammar Belkour are two of the largest armed groups in the city, accused of drug trafficking and human smuggling, but the former has allied with the Al-Far militia against its fellow countrymen.

History of crime

The clashes come a month after violent clashes erupted in the city of al-Ajeilat between the militia of Mohammed Bahrun, also known as al-Far, which is affiliated to the Brotherhood. Khaled al-Mishri, head of the so-called Supreme Council of State, and the militia of Mohammed Baraka, also known as al-Shalfouh, which is affiliated to the city of Ajaylat.

The clashes resulted in the death of a number of gunmen and caused other material damages and reprisals, including the burning of houses.

The “fugitive” is accused in many criminal cases, the majority of which are still under investigation, however the Ministry of Interior in the former government of Fayez Al Sarraj appointed him as the head of the criminal investigation in the city of Zaouïa.

Al-Far leads the largest militia in the city of Zaouïa, and is accused of a number of crimes, the most prominent of which is collaboration with ISIS affiliates before its collapse in Sabratah. He is the No. 6 wanted in the case of No. 131 of 2017/Terrorism, which is pending with the Attorney General.

Since the beginning of 2017, al-Far has been securing the coastal road under the mandate of al-Sarraj following the armed attack on the presidential guard posts west of Zaouïa.

The problem of militias continues to confront the Libyan State, especially with the former receiving support from some regional and international States, despite the signing of the ceasefire agreement and the political agreement to disband and disarm the militias.

It had previously stormed the headquarters of the Presidential Council to pressure its exiled president, Mohamed Al-Menfi, to cancel his decisions. It had done the same with his predecessor, Fayez Al-Sarraj, who had responded to it and appointed some of its leaders to senior positions and diplomatic missions abroad.