A new wave of intense clashes erupted in the Tajoura district of eastern Tripoli, resulting in nine fatalities and 16 injuries, including one civilian.
The violence broke out between two rival militia groups: the Rahbat al-Duru’ Brigade and the Sabriya Martyrs Brigade, using light and medium weaponry. The confrontation caused widespread alarm among residents and highlighted the ongoing instability in Libya’s capital.
The clashes were triggered by an assassination attempt on Bashir Khalafallah, the commander of the Rahbat al-Duru’ Brigade, also known as “Al-Baqara.” The attack, carried out by an armed faction affiliated with the Sabriya Martyrs Brigade, left Khalafallah seriously injured. He was initially admitted to intensive care but later reported to be stable, according to the Rahbat al-Duru’ Brigade’s media office.
In response to the assassination attempt, the Rahbat al-Duru’ Brigade launched a counterattack, targeting the Sabriya Martyrs Brigade’s headquarters in the Hamidiya area of Tajoura. The Rahbat al-Duru’ forces managed to seize control of the headquarters, capturing 12 members of the opposing brigade. Social media videos circulating online depicted members of the Rahbat al-Duru’ Brigade declaring their victory, with smoke visible rising from the captured site.
The Tripoli Ambulance and Emergency Service confirmed the casualty toll, reporting nine deaths and 16 injuries. However, the service did not clarify whether the victims were civilians or combatants. In light of the ongoing violence, the service warned residents, advising them to avoid the coastal road in Tajoura and suggesting the use of Wadi al-Rabie Road as an alternative route.
As the situation unfolded, the atmosphere in Tajoura remained tense but relatively calm. A military convoy from the Joint Force, aligned with the Government of National Unity, was observed moving from Misrata towards Tripoli. Additionally, armed vehicles belonging to the Rahbat al-Duru’ Brigade were stationed along the coastal road near the Qarah Boli intersection, effectively blocking any reinforcements from reaching the Sabriya Martyrs Brigade.
Despite the severity of the clashes, there has been no official statement from the Government of National Unity regarding the incident or the assassination attempt on Bashir Khalafallah. The silence from the government and security forces has contributed to the uncertainty and anxiety among the local population, who are no strangers to such outbreaks of violence.
This latest confrontation is part of a broader pattern of violence that has plagued Tripoli and western Libya since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The power vacuum left by his overthrow has led to the rise of numerous armed militias, each vying for control and influence in the region. The rivalry between the Rahbat al-Duru’ Brigade and the Sabriya Martyrs Brigade is symbolic of the power struggles that have come to define Tripoli’s security landscape.
