On 15 April, Libyan Islamist and Salafist icon Grand Mufti Sadiq al-Ghariyani called on fighters in a television interview to continue to fight against the Libyan National Army (LNA) and legitimised suicide attacks claiming, “Blowing yourself up is halal if you can assure damage and rattle the enemy” . Ghariyani also called upon the Government of National Accord (GNA) to release prisoners, indicating that their detainment would slow progress combating the LNA.
The same day the UN Support Mission to Libya (UNSMIL) released a statement expressing their concerns over the alleged release of 401 prisoners “without adequate legal proceedings or vetting” from the northern western Libya towns of Sabratha and Surman following their capture by GNA-aligned forces just days before.