The security situation in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, continues to deteriorate following the killing of Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, known as “Gheniwa”, head of the Stability Support Apparatus affiliated with the Presidential Council. The incident occurred on the night of May 12, 2025, and ignited fierce armed clashes between factions loyal to the Government of National Unity led by Abdul Hamid Dabaiba and groups affiliated with the apparatus itself.
Al-Kikli, a prominent figure in the Libyan security scene, was shot in the head with a precise bullet inside the headquarters of the 444th Combat Brigade in the Salah al-Din area south of Tripoli. The nature of the operation indicates a carefully planned intelligence hit, not the result of a random clash.
Subsequent clashes concentrated in the neighborhoods of Abu Salim, Al-Hadhba, and Al-Dreibi, where medium and heavy weapons were used, resulting in the death of at least six people and dozens injured. The Ministry of Interior under Dabaiba’s government urged citizens to stay indoors, while the Ministry of Defense announced it had taken control of Abu Salim, the stronghold of the Stability Support Apparatus.
Mitiga Airport was evacuated, and flights were diverted to Misrata and Benghazi. The University of Tripoli suspended classes and exams. Emergency services declared a state of maximum alert, while power outages were reported in various areas due to infrastructure damage from the clashes.
Nationwide Protests and Accusations Against Dabaiba
Amidst the chaos, several Libyan cities witnessed protests calling for the return of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the late leader Muammar Gaddafi, to lead the country to safety.
Leaked information suggests that Abdul Hamid Dabaiba was the mastermind behind the elimination of al-Kikli. The two had been allies since 2021, but tensions grew as Gheniwa’s influence expanded. He had taken control of key institutions such as the Government Facilities Security Authority and the General Electricity Company. Leaked documents revealed massive funds allocated to his apparatus, fueling Dabaiba’s concerns.
Reports indicate that Dabaiba coordinated with militias from Misrata, Zawiya, and Zintan. Al-Kikli was allegedly lured to the Takbali military camp under the pretext of negotiations before being assassinated in what was described as a “precise operation”. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Dabaiba described the move as a step toward asserting state authority. However, analysts believe that although this may temporarily tighten his grip on power, it could lead to further conflict due to the lack of an alternative leader for the apparatus.
Eastern Libya Tensions Rise with Haftar’s Military Moves
At the same time, tensions are escalating in eastern Libya as forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar, increasingly led by his son Saddam Haftar, move to consolidate power. Saddam is known for his brutality and a long record of human rights abuses.
Sources confirmed that Haftar’s forces have reinforced their positions in Sirte and the Jufra region, taking advantage of the chaos in Tripoli to expand their influence. Saddam Haftar, who is taking on a growing leadership role in the Libyan National Army, is accused of leading repressive operations in Benghazi and Derna, raising fears of a military escalation that could eventually reach the capital.
These developments further complicate the already fragmented Libyan landscape, divided between Dabaiba’s government in Tripoli and Osama Hammad’s government in the east, supported by Haftar.
International Reactions: UN and ICC Express Concern
On May 13, 2025, the UN Security Council expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Tripoli, calling for restraint and adherence to the 2020 ceasefire agreement. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) warned that military activity threatens civilians and the political process.
The U.S. embassy also urged de-escalation and the protection of civilians.
On May 14, 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a statement confirming that it is monitoring the situation in Libya closely, including human rights violations during the recent clashes. It stated that investigations are ongoing into several cases, including those of Abdel Ghani al-Kikli and the missing MP Ibrahim al-Darsi.
Al-Darsi appeared in leaked videos showing him in miserable conditions in a secret prison in Benghazi, with clear signs of torture. In a briefing to the Security Council on May 15, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan confirmed the authenticity of the videos, stating that al-Darsi was “shackled, visibly tortured, his voice trembling”, and forced to confess under duress. He emphasized that al-Darsi was not detained for any legal reason but because he “dared to speak up for the Libyan people”. Khan described the violations as “horrific” and called for urgent clarity on al-Darsi’s fate.
Legal Action: Arrest Warrant Issued for Osama Najim
Karim Khan welcomed Dabaiba’s decision to dismiss Osama Najim, calling it “a major step”. The ICC officially requested Najim’s extradition for war crimes and issued an order to freeze his assets valued at £12 million in cooperation with the UK’s National Crime Agency.
Khan urged Libya’s Attorney General Al-Siddiq Al-Sour to immediately arrest Najim, stating that dissolving the Deterrence Apparatus for Combating Crime, to which Najim belonged, was a significant move. He added that militia leaders across Libya are now “afraid – and they should be”, confirming that the ICC’s investigations will continue through the first quarter of 2026, with Libya agreeing to ICC jurisdiction until the end of 2027.
Libya remains deeply divided, and without a comprehensive political solution, the country teeters on the brink of a wider escalation. The tension in Tripoli and Haftar’s strategic military movements in the east could ignite a full-blown conflict. Against this backdrop, the popular call for Saif al-Islam Gaddafi’s return reflects a growing desire for stability and a new leadership capable of steering the country out of chaos.
