Relative calm in Al-Jmail after militia clashes

Relative calm has returned today to the Al-Jmail in northwestern Libya after local militias and civilians clashed Monday and Tuesday with external (state recognised) militias led by warlord ‘‘the mouse’’ (Al-Far) and ”the flame” (Al-Lahab) militia accused of arriving from the Agarbiya region of neighbouring Zawia.

At least seven injuries were reported. One seriously.

The calm returned after a call for help by the region and agreement with locals for the Directorate Support Force in the Western Region to assumed, as an outside neutral, the mission of securing the city after the clashes – according to the agreement concluded with the councils, notables and elders of the city and the Western Region.

Local reports say locals snapped after tiring from the abuse received from these external militias. A three-day civil disobedience action has been announced by locals. Schools have been closed and exams postponed by local municipalities.

The National Institution for Human Rights in Libya condemned, in a statement, the armed clashes that took place in the municipality of Al-Jmail on Tuesday. It said that the renewed acts of violence and armed clashes between armed groups and formations that enjoy the legitimacy of the Aldabaiba government represent a major failure for the Ministry of Interior.

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Comment: Silence from the Tripoli government
As usual, the embarrassing silence from the Tripoli government has been deafening as Aldabaiba was too busy hosting Italian prime minister Meloni. This is further proof, if any was ever needed, of the very limited power enjoyed by the Aldabaiba government outside its comfort zone. Al-jmail is 123 km west of Tripoli.

It will be recalled that the Tripoli government flexed its muscles with a massive display of Interior Ministry manpower on 27 April at the disused Tripoli International Airport. Alaas. All of the militias and armed groups wish to congregate in Tripoli where the source of the power, influence and rentier wealth lies – and not too far outside Tripoli.

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