On Saturday, residents and eyewitnesses in Zawiya City in western Libya reported that several main streets were still closed amid gunfire from multiple directions. The violence erupted on Thursday when clashes broke out between armed groups following the kidnapping of members of the so-called Support Force, who have been accused of involvement in illegal activities.
The clashes have persisted, fueled by pressure from the kidnappers’ associates demanding their release, while the city’s security apparatus under the Ministry of Interior remains notably absent. Fighting continued into the early hours of Saturday, raising concerns of escalating chaos and fears of a return to armed conflict in a city already plagued by disorder and a lack of governmental control.
Zawiya, located west of the capital Tripoli, has long been a hotspot for conflict and criminal activity. The city’s strategic location near major oil facilities and smuggling routes has made it a battleground for rival militias vying for control. The recent abductions and ensuing violence are part of a broader pattern of lawlessness that has gripped the region since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011.
The Support Force, implicated in various illicit trades, including drug trafficking, is just one of many militias operating with impunity in Zawiya. The lack of a strong central government has allowed these groups to flourish, leading to frequent clashes that endanger the lives of civilians and disrupt daily life.
Local sources indicate that the current clashes are some of the most intense in recent memory, with heavy gunfire echoing through the city’s streets and residents caught in the crossfire. The absence of intervention from the national security forces highlights the fractured state of Libya’s governance, where regional militias often wield more power than official authorities.
