The Council of Tuareg Elders in Libya has mourned the death of a soldier from the 173rd Infantry Battalion, part of the Libyan National Army’s (LNA) Ground Forces Command.
The soldier, identified as Ali Ayoub Mustafa, known as “Allou,” was reportedly killed on Monday during a pursuit of a smuggling gang in the desert.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the council extended its condolences to Mustafa’s family, confirming that he lost his life while engaging a smuggling network. However, the exact location of the incident was not disclosed.
The soldier’s death occurred as the Chief of Staff of the LNA’s Ground Forces, Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, arrived in the southern city of Sabha for a high-level meeting with military and security leaders. The visit underscores ongoing efforts to address security concerns in Libya’s vast and often lawless southern region, where smuggling and criminal networks are deeply entrenched.
Neither the Ground Forces Command nor the 173rd Infantry Battalion has officially commented on the circumstances surrounding the incident. However, it highlights the persistent security challenges faced by Libyan forces, particularly in the southern border areas, where illicit activities such as fuel and human smuggling are widespread.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
