Surman Security Director, Major General Abdullah Al-Aarif Al-Mahjoubi, survived an assassination attempt this Wednesday morning when a criminal gang targeted his car with a hail of bullets, resulting only in vehicle damage, according to a statement by the directorate.
No further details were provided about the gang’s identity or the motive behind the attack.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, leading to years of split governance.
The country’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict, impacting global oil prices.
The conflict has caused a significant humanitarian crisis, with thousands killed and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
Planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and candidate eligibility, raising concerns about a peaceful political transition.
Despite a ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters, making military unification and foreign force removal crucial challenges.
In January, Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba defended the presence of armed militias in Libya, describing them as defenders of Libyan honor and sanctity against aggressors and saboteurs. He emphasized their integration into the military and security sectors over the past two years and asserted control over their actions, despite widespread weapon ownership since 2011.
