Libya: Fighting continues south of Tripoli September 18 /update 5

Event

ocal sources reported that fighting between rival militias is ongoing south of Tripoli as of 07:50 (local time) on Tuesday, September 18. Members of the 7th (Kani) Brigade are reportedly clashing with fighters from the Tripoli Revolutionaries' Brigades (TRB). Fighting is also ongoing between Salah Badi forces and Gheneiwa fighters on Airport Road near Hamza camp. Mitiga International Airport (MJI) remains closed as of Tuesday morning.

It is unclear when the fighting between the rival militia groups will abate and when MJI will reopen to commercial flights. Additional clashes are expected in Tripoli in the coming hours and days.

Context

MJI was closed on September 17 after the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) and the RADA Special Deterrence Forces (RDF) agreed to hand over control of the airport to another militia and due to the ongoing clashes in Tripoli. Flights to and from MJI have been diverted to Misrata International Airport (MRA). The recent escalation of violence in Tripoli follows several days of a tenuous ceasefire between local armed groups, initially brokered by the UN on September 4, which aimed to put an end to hostilities ongoing around Tripoli since August 27.

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

Advice

Individuals are advised to avoid the Tripoli area until the situation normalizes.

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.