Tripoli ceasefire among militias fails to hold

(March 16) The Presidency Council(PC) of the UN-brokered Government of National Accord (GNA) was able to broker an agreement among many brigades to stop fighting in Tripoli after many clashes the previous night.

For some reason Faiez Serraj the PM and head of the PC was not in attendance. PC member Ahmed Hamza and the Defense Minister Mihid al-Barghati chaired the meeting. The meeting was held in the Abu Sittah Naval Base one of the few secure areas to meet in Tripoli no doubt. The municipal councils of Misrata, Souq Al-Jonaa and Central Tripoli also took part. Commanders of loyal armed brigades from Misrata and Tripoli also participated.

The agreement requires all armed brigades "rival ones" to withdraw from Tripoli as set out in the Libya Political Agreement (LPA). The Tripoli Revolutionaries' Brigade(TRB) and Ghaniewa of the UN PC launched an offensive again other groups several days ago and drove them out of several areas of the capital. However under the agreement control will be handed over to other loyal brigades from the city of Misrata:“Brigade 301 of the Ministry of Defense will be tasked to guard the Ministry of Interior,” the agreement indicated. Brigade 301 is from Misrata and known as Al-Halboos Brigade. Regarding protection of Rixos compound, the agreement stated that it would be handed over to Brigade 14 and Brigade 155, both are also Misrata. Brigade 17, also from Misrata, was tasked with the protection of Airport Road, a region where several rival groups are located.The agreement immediately ran into difficulties as Ghaniewa that is in control of the RIxos compound backed out and said it was not part of the agreement.

The above account is from the Libya Observer. The Libya Herald also covers the ceasefire. The Herald account notes that in the fighting the leader of the National Salvation Government, Khalifa Ghwell who was attempting a coup against the GNA had been injured in the fighting. As discussed in a recent Digital Journal article, Ghwell was driven out of his headquarters in the Rixos hotel complex. He is said to have been taken to Misrata for treatment. According to the Herald the agreement provides for the departure of armed factions "beyond the law" from Tripoli as required by the LPA. It is not clear which militia are "beyond the law" or who is to ensure that the agreement terms are obeyed by militias. It may not matter because it seems that several important militia groups did not agree to the deal according to reports. The Rada Special Deterrence Force headed by Abdul Kara, and the Abu Sleem Central Security Force headed by Gheneiwa or Abdul Al-Kikli have not agreed to the deal.

Earlier today Bunyan Marsous commanders from Misrata said they were sending 1500 armoured vehicles to "force the establishment of peace and security in Tripoli". The Herald did not know what had happened to the operation.

In a later article, the Herald notes that the ceasefire had been rejected by the Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade headed by Haytem Tajouri . The Brigade said it would continue its advance and there were unconfirmed reports of minor clashes breaking out again. The TRB said that with no legitimate army to keep order it would protect the people. The TRB said that it would never be satisfied with "half measures and formal agreements". The TRB also accused fighters from other towns of sowing instability in Tripoli.

There was an attack on al-Hadhba prison today that killed several guards as reported in a recent tweet: Very serious developments, heavy fighting near al-Hadhba prison, where former regime senior officials are held. There may be more clashes happening soon as the PC agreement does not include at least three key militia groups in Tripoli.

Rival militia groups clash in Tripoli Libya

( Febrruary 24) The clashes are said to be between the Deterrent Forces led by Eghnaiwa Al-Kiki and the forces of the Al-Burki battalion. The Libyan Red Crescent(LRC) said that its efforts to communicate with both sides failed.

The LRC has been trying to evacuate civilians from the area where the fighting is happening. Sources told Libya Prospect that each side accuses the other of not being willing to reconcile. A spokesperson for the LRC said the the fighting groups did not respect the emblem of the Red Cross resulting in their failure to respond to the cries for help from local residents. The Salvation Government led by Khalifa Al-Ghwell claims it has been talking to the warring parties urging them to cease fighting but said also that it is ready to intervene to stop the clashes.

There have been numerous tweets about the conflict. One tweet calls the Al-Kikli militia, Ghneiwa militia:"Ghneiwa militia led by Al-Kikli launched an offensive to take control of Salah Al-Burki HQ in Abu Salim, Tripoli. " Another tweet notes that the Al-Burki militia is associated with the newly formed Libyan National Guard(LNG) that in turn appear to be loyal to Al-Ghwell: "Yes Al-Burki has joined the LNG." It seems that the large Tripoli Revolutionary Brigades of Haytem Tajouri have sent help for the Ghneiwa militia according to another tweet: "Tripoli Revolutionaries' Brigades by Tajouri sent 5 tanks in Abu Salim to help Ghneiwa militia. Casualties reported in both side." The Al-Burki brigade contains fighters mostly from Misrata. Locals report the use of tanks and heavy artillery.

According to the Libya Herald some sources say that at least 8 dead bodies had arrived at the Abu Sleem hospital. However the number of casualties has not been confirmed. A Burki commander Najib Ghurthab was named as being killed. There are differing views as to what caused the clashes. The Al-Burki militia may have been intending to eject Ghneiwa from the area.

Residents in the area are trapped in their houses. Kamal, a resident of the area told the Herald: “It’s hell. The explosions are so strong. I have gathered my wife and kids in a relatively safe room in our house. My wife has had to block the ears of our one-year-old baby because the loud gunshots have panicked him. " Elders from Tarhouna, 65 kilometers southeast of Tripoli are reported to be mediating between the two sides but without success so far it would seem. The LRC has told residents of the area not only to stay at home but keep away from windows while it attempts to negotiate a safe corridor for them. Sources told the Libya Observer that the clashes are caused by abduction of fighters on both sides.

The clashes could escalate to become an outright fight between militia loyal to the UN-brokered Government of National

Accord (GNA) and those loyal to Al-Ghwell who is leading a coup against the GNA and heads the Salvation Government. Any divisions between anti-Haftar forces in Tripoli will only help rival commander in eastern Libya, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

UPDATE: Apparently a ceasefire has been negotiated by Tarhouna elders https://twitter.com/?lang=en