On 21 October, Muhammed Bahroun aka al-Far released a message stating that the people of Zawiyya, across its neighbourhoods of al-Jihad, al-Ilm, al-Manara, and Umm al-Qabil, are deeply troubled by the city’s descent from a historic centre of Quranic and scholarly learning to a place now associated with drugs, human trafficking, and organized crime. Bahroun warns of a deliberate conspiracy, both local and international, aimed at destabilizing the city, made possible by complicit actors. He laments the devastating impact of criminal networks on youth, families, and public safety, noting that the problem is no longer confined to isolated groups but has become a widespread societal threat fueled by illicit money and lawlessness. Bahroun urged all residents, young and old, civilian and military, to unite in confronting these evil, destructive forces and restoring Zawiyya’s legacy as a generous, principled, and secure community. The message ended with the reminder that collective responsibility is essential, and only through unity can the city be cleansed, protected, and rebuilt.
On the same day, prominent journalist Kamel al-Marash described Zawiyya as an example of the deepening security collapse affecting western Libya for over a decade, declaring it a disaster zone. He warned that ongoing violence and militia clashes threaten any prospects for national unity or stability. Al-Marash noted that armed groups dominate daily life in over 26 cities, with Zawiyya suffering more severely than most. Once a centre of intellectual and cultural heritage, the city is now engulfed in chaos, driven by competition over its major oil refinery, a lucrative asset fueling armed conflict and smuggling.
Al-Marash claimed that the crisis in Zawiyya is no longer purely local, with external forces from Tripoli and Misrata influencing militias to serve broader political agendas. These actors allegedly oppose the city’s stabilization, fearing it could shift power dynamics across western Libya and impact the capital. Al-Marash accused the Government of National Unity (GNU) of indirectly sustaining the unrest by backing rival factions, thereby obstructing efforts toward reconciliation and state-building. He concluded that Zawiyya’s fate is closely tied to Libya’s broader trajectory, and that restoring order there could bring significant stability to the region. He urged local leaders and intellectuals to take decisive action to rescue the city from its current turmoil.
On 22 October, al-Hashemi Dakhil, a member of the Council of Elders and Notables of Zawiyya, described the city as a historically rebellious and politically influential force in Libya, central to the 17 February Revolution. He attributed its current instability to post-2011 governance failures, tribal favoritism, and the marginalization of expertise, which have fueled economic hardship, drug proliferation, and armed factionalism. Dakhil warned that overlapping security jurisdictions and weak state institutions have deepened the crisis, while youth mental health suffers from prolonged conflict. He emphasized that restoring stability requires both security reform and parallel development, alongside community engagement.
Referring to Bahroun’s statement the day before, the Counter Security Threats Agency vowed to pursue these crimes with full legal force, citing the loss of innocent lives and harm to Libyan stability. It pledged to deploy all legal and intelligence tools to dismantle criminal networks and bring perpetrators to justice without exception. The agency warned that Libya will not shelter those who profit from others’ suffering.