Battle of Tripoli (2018)

Battle of Tripoli
Part of the Libyan Civil War (2014–present) and 2016–18 West Libya clashes

Satellite image of central Tripoli, 2005
Date27 August – 25 September 2018
(4 weeks and 1 day)
Location
Tripoli, Libya
Result Ceasefire
Belligerents
Seventh Brigade
Kani Militia
Somoud Brigade
Libyan Tribesmen[1]		 Tripoli Brigade[2]
Abu Salim Central Security Force[3]
301 Brigade
RADA
Nawassi Brigade
Libyan state guards

Government of National Accord
National Oil Corporation Guards[4]

Misrata Brigades[5]
Commanders and leaders
Mohsen al-Kani (leader of al-Kanni militia)
Abd al-Wahhab al-Magri (commander of the 7th -later renamed 9th- brigade)
Salah Badi (leader of Somoud brigade)[6]		 Haitham Tajouri
Hashem Bishr
Abdelghani Al-Kikli (Abu Salim Central Security Force Commander)[7]		 Fayez al-Sarraj
Abdussalam Ashour
Units involved

7th brigade (2000) Central support unit (1000) Supportive force (500) Somoud brigade (500)

Wershafana tribes (150)

Tripoli brigade (800)

Special Deterrence Force (800)

Alnawasi brigade (700)

Joint Deterrence and Intervention Force Abu Salim (600)

301th infantry brigade (500)

Bab Tajura Battalion (300)

Guarantee Battalion (200)		 anti-terrorism force (3500)
Casualties and losses
25+ 32 militiamen killed None
115 killed, 383 injured[8]
25,000 civilians displaced[9]

The Battle of Tripoli was a month long series of clashes in Tripoli, the capital of Libya and the centre of the Government of National Accord, during the second Libyan Civil War.

The initial clashes began as early as 13 August[10] until a ceasefire on 29 August,[11] but were reinvigorated on 20 September, when the Al-Summod Brigade, led by Salah Badi, said it had seized Hamza camp in Mashroa Al-Hadba in southern Tripoli after kicking out the "Abdulghani al-Kikli Militia" or "Ghnewa Militias", breaking the UN-sponsored ceasefire.[12]

During the clashes on 3 September it was reported that 400 prisoners escaped from the Ain Zara prison as a result of the violence.[13] UNSMIL released a statement condemning the renewed hostilities and called for an immediate cease-fire. During the clashes around the airport and neighborhoods in southern Tripoli, shelling damaged the electricity infrastructure and resulted in the destruction of the Tripoli International Airport in the Battle of Tripoli Airport.

On 25 September, a ceasefire was signed, ending the battle.[14]

Reactions

Supranational

  •  United Nations, UNSMIL has called for an end to the clashes as well a adherence to the cease-fire.
  •  European Union: The European Delegation to Libya condemned the violence, Being quoted as saying "The EU Delegation and the EU Heads of Mission to Libya strongly condemn the latest escalation of violence in Tripoli which has caused civilian fatalities, injury and displacement of people and destruction of critical infrastructure"[15]

National

  •  United Kingdom, in August the British ambassador to Libya Frank Baker, wrote on Twitter, "Very concerned by the clashes in Tripoli. We call on all parties to cease military action, protect civilians, respect international law and engage in dialogue to de-escalate the situation Libya."[16] In a joint statement with the United States, Italy and France, the nations expressed their concern for the situation and its potential to cause instability.[17]
  •  France: The French minister of foreign affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian, called for the UN security council to impose sanctions on the militias involved. He was quoted as saying "In the face of the worsening security situation in Tripoli, there is a responsibility to support the Libyans and that means we must be tougher on those that want to keep the status quo for their benefits"[18]

Domestic

  • Government of National Accord, recognized President Fayez al-Sarraj in a televised speech claimed that the 7th Brigade had been dissolved and called for respect of the cease-fire.[17]
  • Libyan National Army The head of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa Haftar, denied accusations of connections to the Tripoli militias.[19] While also warning to intervene in the battle, Haftar was quoted as saying "When the time is right, we will move towards Tripoli."[20]

References
  1. "Libyan tribesmen support Seventh Brigade and call for liberating Tripoli - Libyan Express - Libya News, Opinion, Analysis and Latest Updates from Libya". 15 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  2. "Gunfight re-emerges south of Tripoli - The Libya Observer". www.libyaobserver.ly. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  3. "As clashes resume, situation threatens to spin out of control in Tripoli".
  4. "Libyan NOC reopens runway at Wafa oilfield after protest ends". english.alarabiya.net. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  5. "Misrata takes its military might to Tripoli's militia battle - Libyan Express - Libya News, Opinion, Analysis and Latest Updates from Libya". 22 September 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  6. "Notorious militia leader returns to ignite Libya conflict". Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  7. "Tripoli ceasefire broken, condemned by UNSMIL -". www.libyaherald.com. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  8. Elumami, Ahmed. "Tripoli clashes leave 115 dead, 383 injured- health ministry". Reuters. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  9. "25,000 displaced by fighting in Libya's Tripoli: UNICEF – Brinkwire". en.brinkwire.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 27 September 2018.
  10. "Libya: Armed groups vie for control in deadly Tripoli clashes". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  11. "Libya: Ceasefire in force after days of fighting in Tripoli". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  12. https://www.libyaobserver.ly/news/unsmil-holds-meeting-ceasefire-committee-diplomats-violence-rocks-tripoli%C2%A0
  13. "Hundreds escape jail as fighting rages in Libya's Tripoli - France 24". 3 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  14. "Southern Tripoli war is over | The Libya Observer". www.libyaobserver.ly. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  15. "European Union Condemns Violence in Libya's Capital". The Sentinel. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  16. "International community calls for calm as clashes shake up Libya's capital - The Libya Observer". www.libyaobserver.ly. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  17. "Dozens dead after days of clashes near Libyan capital - France 24". 31 August 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  18. Irish, John. "As Tripoli violence rises, France wants sanctions on militias". U.S. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  19. Al-awsat, Asharq. "Libya's Haftar: LNA Not Involved in Tripoli Clashes". aawsat.com (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  20. "Libya's Haftar: Army will intervene in Tripoli at the right time". english.alarabiya.net. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
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