Renewed armed clashes broke out late Friday in the southern districts of Al-Zawiya, a coastal city west of Tripoli, triggering panic among residents and raising fresh concerns over the fragile security situation in western Libya.
According to local sources and media reports, the violence erupted between armed elements affiliated with the 459 Brigade, led by Mohamed Al-Merraj, and forces linked to the Stability Support Apparatus, commanded by Abdul Salam Zubairi, who also serves as a deputy defense minister.
The confrontation involved heavy gunfire and explosions that were heard across several residential neighborhoods, forcing families to remain indoors amid fears of stray bullets and further escalation.
Witnesses said the fighting intensified rapidly, with gunfire reaching areas close to civilian homes. The unrest prompted urgent intervention by community elders, tribal leaders, and notable figures from Al-Zawiya, who launched mediation efforts aimed at calming tensions and preventing the clashes from spreading further into densely populated areas.
The Libyan Red Crescent branch in Al-Zawiya issued an emergency appeal urging residents to stay inside their homes, avoid windows and open areas, and adhere strictly to safety instructions.
The organization stressed that the situation remained volatile and called on civilians to exercise maximum caution until calm was restored.
As of the latest updates, health authorities had not released any official figures regarding casualties or injuries. Meanwhile, local authorities appealed to all armed parties to immediately cease fire, respect civilian safety, and open safe passages for families trapped near the clashes to evacuate if necessary.
The causes behind the sudden outbreak of violence have not been officially clarified.
Security sources indicated that investigations were ongoing to determine the triggers of the confrontation, amid speculation that it may be linked to ongoing rivalries between armed factions operating in the area.
Al-Zawiya has repeatedly witnessed armed confrontations in recent years due to overlapping security structures and the presence of multiple armed groups.
