UNSMIL concerned by militia clashes in Tripoli, calls for initiation of DDR

By Sami Zaptia.

London, 4 September 2021:

UNSMIL expressed ‘‘grave concern’’ about ongoing armed clashes, including the alleged use of indirect fire, in the densely populated neighbourhood of Salah Al-Deen, in southern Tripoli.

The clashes took place overnight on Thursday and Friday between two state recognized militias, the purportedly Ministry of Defence’s 444^th Fighting Brigade and the purportedly Interior Ministry’s Stability Support force.

It called for the immediate cessation of hostilities and called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint. UNSMIL reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.

DDR

UNSMIL also called on all relevant authorities to assume their responsibilities in ensuring the protection of civilians and in exercising control over their respective units in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions and in particular UN Security Council Resolution 2570, including through the initiation of an elaborated comprehensive Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) and Security Sector Reform (SSR) process to bring all the arms under the control of the State.