Tensions in Ghariyan about troop deployment from Tripoli to the city

Oct 2, 2024 | Libyan actors

On 2 October, it was revealed that Prime Minister Abdul Hameed Dabaiba, in his capacity as Minister of Defense, ordered the redeployment of the 54th Infantry Brigade of the Libyan Army to the 8th Force Camp in Ghariyan. The 54th Brigade is commanded by the Zintani militia leader Abdul Mawla al-Hamali. Subsequently, several militias, including the Ghariyan branch of the Stability Support Agency (SSA), mobilized all their troops in rejection of Dabaiba’s decision.

In the late afternoon, armed groups from Ghariyan demolished the gate and part of the wall of the 8th Force Camp with heavy construction machinery in protest against the decision of Dabaiba to redeploy the 54th Brigade into this camp. A number of Ghariyan residents broadcast a statement from the demolished gate on social media rejecting Dabaiba’s decision. They emphasized that they are against any stationing of a force from outside the city in this camp and threatened to escalate the situation if the ‘irresponsible and ill-considered decision’ is not reversed.

The 555th Infantry Brigade in Tripoli, which is part of the SSA, was alerted and gathered at Souq alThulatha Island. The force also included a number of armoured vehicles. Further troops prepared to move at Camp Hamza. In Ghariyan, militias prepared to block any troops from Tripoli and to defend the 8th Force Camp. In the evening a convoy of the 555th Infantry Brigade arrived in Ghariyan with about 60 to 80 vehicles, including about 20 armoured, to seize the 8th Force Camp, but stopped before getting there in order to avoid an escalation.

On 3 October, Ghariyan residents, including several nobles & elders, warned Dabaiba’s decision would cause clashes and provoke strife among the people of the city. According to them, the entire city is against armed manifestations in accordance with the Ghariyan reconciliation framework adopted on 1 January 2024. In the evening, there were some skirmishes between the 555th Infantry Brigade and local militias when the 555th attempted to enter Taghrana (south of Ghariyan).

On 5 October, the Presidential Council (PC), in its capacity as the Supreme Commander of the Libyan Army, decided to cancel all decisions related to the establishment, repositioning, and transfer of authority of military units or the appointment of their commanders, unless they were issued by the Supreme Commander of the Libyan Army. The PC directed the General Staff not to circulate or implement any decision issued in violation.