Tripoli, May 13, 2025 — A fragile calm in Libya shattered overnight following the assassination of Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, also known as “Gheniwa”, a powerful militia leader and head of the Stability Support Authority (SSA). The incident occurred during a meeting at the base of the 444th Combat Brigade, one of the most prominent armed groups operating in Tripoli.
What began as a targeted killing has rapidly spiraled into widespread clashes across the Libyan capital, reigniting fears of a return to full-scale civil war.
A Targeted Killing with National Consequences
According to early reports, Gheniwa was killed late last night while attending a closed-door meeting at the 444th Brigade’s base. Though details remain unclear, the symbolic weight of this assassination is enormous: Gheniwa was one of the most influential militia leaders in post-2011 Libya, known for his stronghold in western Tripoli and close—but often tense—ties to the Government of National Unity (GNU).
His death triggered fierce clashes between his loyalist forces (notably the First Support Battalion) and security units aligned with the GNU. The epicenter of the fighting quickly became Abu Salim, a densely populated district of Tripoli long dominated by the SSA.
Gunfire in the Capital
Throughout the morning and afternoon of May 13, heavy fighting was reported in several neighborhoods. Despite statements from the GNU claiming to have "regained control" of Abu Salim, eyewitnesses and local observers describe a volatile situation, with ongoing gun battles and military reinforcements deployed throughout the city.
The 444th Brigade, nominally affiliated with the Ministry of Defense, has been drawn into the conflict, either as an instigator or a target. Given its firepower and previous clashes with the SSA, tensions between the two forces may have finally reached a breaking point.
A Fragile State Unravels
This latest wave of violence lays bare the underlying weakness of Libya’s central authority. Despite international recognition, the GNU remains unable to fully disarm or control the patchwork of militias that hold real power in various parts of the country.
Militias like the SSA have often served a dual role—providing security while operating outside or even against formal state structures. Gheniwa’s SSA, in particular, was deeply embedded in the daily functioning of parts of Tripoli, from law enforcement to checkpoints.
His assassination therefore threatens not just a power vacuum but a reconfiguration of alliances and hostilities among Libya’s many armed actors.
International Response and Historical Echoes
The United Nations has issued a call for immediate de-escalation, warning of the risks to civilians in a heavily urbanized environment. Meanwhile, social media is awash with comparisons to the 2020 civil war, which saw similar street battles erupt between rival militias in the capital.
One user grimly wrote: “Libya is in chaos again. Welcome back, 2020.”
Other commentators have pointed to deeper, systemic issues—reminding the world of Libya’s long struggle over control of resources, governance, and sovereignty in the aftermath of Muammar Gaddafi’s fall in 2011.
What Comes Next?
While the GNU has attempted to downplay the extent of the violence, the loss of Gheniwa—one of the strongest non-state actors in Tripoli—could destabilize existing security arrangements. With armed groups realigning and resentments boiling over, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether Libya descends once more into prolonged conflict or finds a way to restore order.
For now, Tripoli remains a city on edge, and Libya once again finds itself standing precariously between fragile peace and open war.
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