Clashes erupt in Libyan capital as authorities urge residents to stay indoors
Rival armed groups battle in Tripoli’s southern suburbs, prompting school closures and calls for de-escalation
TRIPOLI, Libya (MNTV) — Intense fighting broke out late Monday between rival armed groups in the Libyan capital Tripoli, triggering panic across neighborhoods and prompting authorities to urge residents to remain indoors for their safety.
Heavy gunfire and explosions echoed through several parts of the city from around 9:00 p.m. local time, according to AFP correspondents on the ground.
The clashes were concentrated in the southern suburbs, where armed groups from Tripoli reportedly engaged in violent confrontations with rivals from Misrata, a coastal city located about 200 kilometers east of the capital.
The Ministry of Interior of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity issued an urgent advisory, calling on “all citizens to stay at home for their safety,” as the situation remained volatile overnight.
No official information has been released regarding casualties or injuries as of Tuesday morning.
The violence marks the latest flare-up in a country still reeling from over a decade of instability since the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime ruler Muammar Qaddafi.
Libya remains politically fragmented, with a UN-backed government operating from Tripoli and a rival administration in the east supported by General Khalifa Haftar and his allies.
While recent years have seen periods of relative calm, armed factions continue to wield influence, and sporadic clashes over territorial control persist.
A similar confrontation in August 2023 between two powerful Tripoli-based militias left at least 55 people dead.
In response to Monday night’s unrest, several districts in and around the capital announced the closure of schools on Tuesday until further notice.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the United States Embassy in Tripoli both issued statements earlier in the day, urging restraint.
“All parties must de-escalate and refrain from provocation, resolving disputes through dialogue,” the UN mission stated.
The latest clashes underscore the ongoing fragility of Libya’s security landscape and the urgent need for sustainable political solutions to prevent further violence.
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