Armed clashes hit Libyan capital of Tripoli

Armed clashes hit Libyan capital of Tripoli

Joint forces affiliated with Libya's Government of National Unity, assemble inside the closed Tripoli International Airport as they deploy on the outskirts and entrances of the capital Tripoli, on August 16, 2022. (Photo by Mahmud Turkia / AFP)

Clashes erupted in the Libyan capital, Tripoli late on Monday, causing the suspension of flights to the city’s main airport, after armed faction leader reportedly detained.

Libyan local media and a source in the 444th Brigade reported, according to Agence France-Presse, that the deterrence apparatus for combating organized crime and terrorism detained Mahmoud Hamza, the commander of the 444th Brigade, which controls a large part of Tripoli, at Mitiga airport.

According to sources at Mitiga Airport, all flights to and from the airport were diverted to Misrata, 180 km to the east.

Continued fighting between the two factions, the two largest armed forces in the capital, would pose great risks.

Monday’s clashes are indeed the worst clashes Tripoli has witnessed in months, despite occasional outbreaks of violence between armed factions in other parts of northwestern Libya in recent weeks.