Violent clashes in Libya’s Zawiya: militia rivalries reignite in the west

31st January 2026

2 minutes read

Violent clashes in Libya’s Zawiya: militia rivalries reignite in the west

Clashes between militias have resumed in western Libya as part of an ongoing struggle for influence, despite intermittent periods of calm that have failed to last more than a few weeks.

At dawn on Saturday, the Sayyida Zaynab area in the city of Zawiya, west of Libya, witnessed a dangerous escalation in armed confrontations following the arrival of new military reinforcements backing the rival factions. The development raises fears of a widening conflict and poses a serious threat to civilian safety.

Local sources said that the fighting intensified after Al-Qasab militias joined forces with Al-Murtah militias, while Al-Far militias backed the Abu Zriba camp. The latter comprises several formations with varying allegiances affiliated with the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, whose mandate has expired.

The sources added that militias used medium and heavy weapons within densely populated residential neighborhoods.

Urgent warnings

As security conditions deteriorated, the Libyan Red Crescent – Zawiya branch – urged residents of the Sayyida Zaynab area to exercise the utmost caution, calling on families to stay away from windows and combat zones to ensure their safety.

In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the Red Crescent encouraged citizens to strictly adhere to safety guidelines until conditions return to normal.

It also appealed to the warring parties for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of safe corridors to allow emergency teams to evacuate families trapped in areas affected by the fighting.

No clear trigger

According to an informed source, the clashes erupted without a direct cause or a specific incident that could be identified as a clear trigger for the escalation. However, the scale of military mobilization and displays of force suggest that the confrontations go beyond local disputes and reflect an attempt to impose dominance and extend control over the city.

The source, who requested anonymity for security reasons, suggested that the expired Government of National Unity may be seeking to strengthen its influence in Zawiya and eliminate rival militias, similar to previous operations in Tripoli, most notably the dismantling of Ghnewa Al-Kikli’s militias last year.

The source noted that Al-Murtah militias are known for their close ties to Abdel Salam Zubi, deputy minister of defense in the Government of National Unity, while Abu Zriba militias adopt an oppositional stance toward the government and are accused of maintaining direct links with rival political entities.

Arms proliferation: a recurring threat

Since the fall of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, Libya has been mired in a cycle of security fragmentation and widespread arms proliferation. Unofficial estimates indicate that more than 29 million weapons are in circulation outside state control.

Zawiya is considered one of the main hotspots of this phenomenon, which undermines efforts toward stabilization and institution-building. At the same time, the Zawiya oil refinery remains a highly sensitive strategic asset, continually exposed to the repercussions of armed conflicts and militia movements.