On 5 May in the evening, there were armed clashes between militias loyal to Muhammed Bahroun aka al-Far and the Salem al-Latif armed group in the area of al-Maqouz in Zawiyya.
On 7 May, the Zawiyya Branch of the Counter Security Threats Agency, which is loyal to al-Far, and the Shuhada al-Nasr Brigade, led by Muhammad Kashlaf aka al-Qasseb, mobilized their troops.
On 8 May in the morning, the Zawiyya Security Directorate released a statement announcing the beginning of a ‘joint security campaign’, authorized by the Attorney General, to raid and arrest criminal groups, wanted individuals, and anyone involved in threats to public safety. The campaign targets those committing major crimes including murder, kidnapping, extortion, drug trafficking, human smuggling, weapons trafficking, and attacks on property and security forces. The Security Directorate stated that the goal was to re‑establish state authority, end lawlessness, and cut off sources of crime, stressing zero tolerance for anyone obstructing the operation.
The fighting subsequently spread to several other areas of Zawiyya, including to Harsha and Sabria in the western part of Zawiyya. In the course of the fighting, al-Qasseb’s militias used a larger number of (probably improvised) one-way attack drones (‘suicide drones’) with devastating effect.
There was local and international condemnation of the fighting and blame-shifting over responsibility for the operation.
The Ambulance and Emergency Service said medical teams were positioned near combat zones but could not enter due to intense gunfire, urging armed groups to halt hostilities so civilians and the wounded could be reached. The Red Crescent issued urgent warnings for people to stay indoors, while the Endowments Office advised worshippers to avoid mosques in conflict areas.
UNSMIL condemned the clashes in Zawiyya, warning of civilian casualties caused by heavy and indiscriminate fire in populated areas and expressing alarm over reports of residential buildings near the refinery being used for military purposes. It urged an immediate halt to fighting, protection of civilians and infrastructure, stressing that continued violence risks wider destabilization and serious humanitarian and economic damage. The mission also praised local de‑escalation efforts and reaffirmed its readiness to support restoring calm.
The West Coast Military District stated it had no involvement in the current Zawiyya Security Directorate’s operation, noting there was no coordination with them and stressing that such actions require careful planning and high‑level oversight to protect civilians and property. It rejected any involvement in any actions that could be interpreted as score‑settling and reaffirmed its commitment to stability and the rule of law.
The Zawiyya Security Directorate, however, insisted the campaign is fully legal, backed by warrants from the Attorney General.
Units from the 52nd Infantry Brigade of the Libyan Army, commanded by Mahmoud Bin Rajab, entered the area surrounding the Zawiyya oil refinery in an attempt to halt the clashes and to separate the belligerent parties.
There were reports of Abdullah Trabelsi, commander of the Zintani Public Security Forces in western Tripoli and brother of Minister of Interior Emad Trabelsi, mobilizing his men to prepare for any eventuality.
Notably, the Government of National Unity (GNU) did not issue any formal statements about the clashes or the damage to the Zawiyya refinery.
The National Institution for Human Rights in Libya (NIHRL) condemned the fighting and reported that the clashes resulted in three civilian deaths and nine injured civilians, alongside extensive damage to public and private property such as parts of the Zawiyya Oil Refinery and its storage tanks. Local sources report that the armed clashes have left at least ten militia fighters killed and twenty injured.
On 10 May, there was maneuvering of militias and some tensions between the militias of al-Far on one side and al-Latif and al-Qasseb militias on the other side in Sabria and Harsha in western Zawiyya.
On 12 May, Deputy SRSG Stephanie Koury met with the Libyan Army Chief of Staff Salahadeen al-Namroush to discuss the situation in Zawiyya. They explored effective ways to de-escalate tensions, protect civilians and vital infrastructure, and strengthen the rule of law. They also exchanged views on current political developments and the opportunity of unifying the military institutions.