Residents of Bani Walid were gripped by fear on Saturday evening after a powerful explosion echoed through the city, with its source still shrouded in mystery. The blast was reported near the former “Jibran Battalion Camp” in the industrial district, according to eyewitnesses.
As of now, no official statement has been released to clarify the nature of the incident or confirm the extent of casualties or damage. Authorities are continuing investigations to determine the exact circumstances behind the explosion.
Field reports suggest that the blast occurred outside the perimeter of recognized military bases, including both the old and new 444th Combat Brigade camps. This has fueled speculation over whether the incident was linked to a terrorist attack or a possible internal malfunction.
Adding to the uncertainty, the 444th Combat Brigade, affiliated with Libya’s Government of National Unity, had announced just days earlier that a suicide bomber detonated a car bomb near the gate of its camp. That attack caused no human casualties, with the brigade confirming that its forces swiftly secured the area. Video evidence of the car bombing was circulated at the time, reinforcing the brigade’s account, though debate continues over the accuracy and details of the recent events in Bani Walid.
The incident underscores the fragile security situation in Libya’s central region, where conflicting narratives and a lack of transparency continue to cloud public trust and raise concerns over potential militant activity.
