An armed coalition supporting Libya’s Government of National Unity has successfully dismantled the Stability Support Apparatus linked to the Presidential Council following the assassination of its leader, Abdul Ghani al-Kikli.
Local sources report that military forces from Tripoli, alongside armed factions from Misrata, took control of the capital after breaching the Abu Salim neighborhood, which is the largest popular district and a stronghold for al-Kikli’s group.
According to the sources, several militia leaders invited al-Kikli for a discussion at the Al-Takbali camp located south of the city. Upon his arrival, surrounded by his personal guards, he was allowed to enter alone.
There, he was killed, while his escorts were attacked at the camp’s entrance. The Emergency and Support Medical Center announced yesterday that six bodies had been recovered from the areas where clashes occurred around Abu Salim, noting that the recovery unit began its work after the situation stabilized somewhat.
The removal of al-Kikli led to the disbanding of the Stability Support Apparatus, causing many of its members to scatter and some leaders to go into hiding. The Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, called this incident a pivotal moment towards eliminating irregular groups, stating:
“What has been achieved confirms that legitimate institutions are capable of safeguarding the nation and preserving citizens’ dignity, marking a decisive step toward dismantling irregular factions and establishing the principle that only state institutions have a place in Libya, and that only the law has authority.”
The Ministry of Defense of the Government of National Unity asserted that the military operation concluded successfully and announced directives to continue its security plan in the area to ensure stability and the continuity of security.
The Ministry of Interior also stated that the security situation in Tripoli is stable and secure, and that security forces are efficiently performing their duties to maintain public order.
This assertion came after a day of intense armed clashes in the city. The ministry issued an official statement urging local residents, particularly state employees, to return to work and contribute to restoring normalcy, emphasizing the importance of ministry personnel adhering to official hours to ensure continuous services and reinforce stability.
Interior Minister Imad al-Tarabulsi ordered an increased security presence from various interior ministry components within Tripoli to bolster security and maintain stability.
This plan has been implemented, with instructions given to commence security patrols across different sectors and initiate security deployments in the capital.
The Ministry of Education announced that classes in Tripoli were suspended on Tuesday due to the recent events and that their resumption is contingent upon improvements in the security situation and a return to calm, stating the decision lies with education supervisors in the affected areas.
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a restoration of calm in the capital, reminding all parties of their legal obligations to protect civilians at all times.
The mission also warned that assaults on civilians or civilian infrastructure could constitute war crimes under international law. Observers believe that al-Kikli’s assassination signifies a new phase of conflict in the capital, where armed groups from Misrata will likely exert control and aim to eliminate remaining deterrent forces.