Libya: Gunmen abduct Tripoli mayor March 28

Event

Unidentified gunmen kidnapped the mayor of Tripoli from his home late on Wednesday, March 28 (local time). The kidnappers' motive and demands are currently unclear, as well as if the incident was actually an arrest. In response, the Tripoli municipal council announced that it would suspend work until further notice. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced that a search is ongoing to find the mayor. Additional abductions of local leaders are possible in Tripoli in the coming weeks.

Context

Though security has generally improved in Tripoli since the Government of National Accord (GNA) and allied militias secured their control of the capital in summer of 2017, kidnapping incidents are still commonplace. Some factions in Libya use kidnapping for financial gain or to advance political agendas.

Libya has been divided into rival governments and factions with their own militias and political parties since the 2011 uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. The security situation in Libya remains precarious and there is little to no sign of a return of relative stability in the near-term.

Advice

The security environment in Libya remains complex. Although travel is possible in some areas (with appropriate security protocols in place), other areas should be considered strictly off-limits. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.