Throughout the last two weeks, inter-militia clashes and violence have continued in and around Tripoli, although there has not been a major escalation.
On 8 July in the early morning, armed clashes erupted in western Tripoli near Regata Diplomatic Resort and Al-Ghiran Island between armed groups from Janzour and the Public Security Force, which is led by Abdullah Trabelsi aka al-Farawila, a brother of interior minister Emad Trabelsi. The fighting calmed down later in the morning, but the situation remained tense amid the deployment of reinforcements from both sides. Both warring factions belong to the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) Ministry of Interior (MoI). In the evening, troops from the 444 Brigade clashed with members of the Public Security Force near Qasr Bin Gashir Island.
On 9 July, MoI Emad Trabelsi described the Special Deterrence Force (Rada) as the ‘cause of security chaos’ and as ‘a tool of corruption that hinders state-building’. He called on the Presidential Council (PC) to dissolve it.
On 10 July in the evening there were skirmishes between the Public Security Force and the newly established Tripoli Security Directorate Support Force in the vicinity of the Airport Road.
Bashir al-Bugra´s 51st Infantry Brigade also deployed in eastern Tripoli, Tajoura, and Garabulli in support of the Tajoura Security Directorate to assist security forces in carrying out their duties.
On 11 July, approximately 150 protesters from various regions gathered in Martyrs Square, Tripoli, while a couple of dozen members of the Zawiyya movement advanced toward Algeria Square in Tripoli. Their collective demand was the removal of the remaining figures of the Dabaiba government and the establishment of a unified national administration.
On 12 July, the MoI confirmed ongoing efforts to implement a joint security plan in Tripoli, coordinated by the city’s Security Directorate. The initiative foresees 24-hour patrols on foot and by vehicle, aiming to improve public safety, apprehend criminals, regulate traffic, and promote order across the capital. The Ministry praised the professionalism of the participating security units and emphasized the need for citizen cooperation to ensure the plan’s success and build trust in the country’s security institutions.
An armed group allegedly affiliated with the Public Security Force stormed and robbed a bank in Ghout al-Shaal in western Tripoli.
On 15 July, members of the Public Security Force surrounded the Abu Salim District Court building following a court ruling against a member of their force. They opened fire on the court, sparking panic within the building and prompting judges to suspend court operations in protest at the blatant attack.
On 16 July, a member of the 111th (Misrata) Brigade was killed in a shoot-out with a ‘criminal gang’ on the Airport Road.
On 17 July, Zawiyya SSA members stopped a convoy of the Public Security Force on the way to the Mellitah Oil & Gas Complex and seized at least seven vehicles. The crews were sent back to Tripoli. This must be seen in context of intended protests of the Zawiyya youth against the Government of National Unity (GNU) at the Complex.
On 18 July after midnight, the Janzour Knights clashed in al-Najila (south of the Coastal Road) with the 3rd (Wershefana) Battalion of Ramzi al-Lafi. At least one member of the Janzour Knights was killed.
On 19 July, 17 members of the SSA escaped from a prison at the 444 Brigade´s Camp Tekbali. One of them is a former bodyguard of Abdul Ghani al-Kikli aka Ghinaywa who escorted the SSA commander when he was killed.