The Municipality of Bani Walid condemned and denounced on Tuesday (2 September) what it called ‘‘the cowardly attempt that was targeted’’ at the headquarters of the 444th Combat Brigade in the city of Bani Walid, which it referred to as ‘‘a serious incident that threatens the security and stability of the country’’.
The targeting was a suicide bomber driving and detonating a vehicle packed with explosives on 1 September in front of the headquarters of Libyan Army’s 444th Brigade in Bani Walid town.
The 444th Combat Brigade reported on 2 September that there were no causalities and described the attack as a ‘‘terrorist attack using a car bomb’’, saying ‘‘a suicide bomber detonated himself inside the car in front of the camp’’.
The 444th Combat Brigade said ‘‘investigations began immediately after the explosion, and our forces were able to control the situation within the first moments. We reassure everyone that the camp is continuing its mission with full readiness, without any violations or losses’’.
‘‘These despicable acts are being carried out by the cowardly hands of terrorism, but they have not weakened our resolve or the steadfastness of our men’’.
It continued: ‘‘These cowardly tactics only increase our determination to pursue terrorist hideouts until they are eradicated and uprooted.
We will not hesitate to perform our duty, as we always have, to protect the homeland and pursue anyone who threatens the security and safety of our people’’.
Bani Walid Municipality was keen to distance itself from the incident saying this act represents a threat to the security and stability of the city specifically and the state in general. It stressed that it is something that it rejects, stressing the need to join efforts to protect institutions and enhance security in the country.
The municipality called on the security authorities to intensify their efforts to uncover the circumstances of the incident, stressing the need to enhance stability and protect citizens and military personnel from such threats.
The 444th Combat Brigade is part of the regular Libyan Army
It will be recalled that the 444th Combat Brigade is a regular army force created as part of the western based Libyan Army – to be distinguished from Hafter’s eastern based Army. It is not a former militia group that has been artificially reformed into an army. The Commander of the 444th is appointed directly by the Minister of Defence, Prime Minister Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba. It represents the Libyan government in Tripoli and the new post-Qaddafi political order of the 17 February 2011.
Qaddafi’s First of September
It will also be recalledthat the First of September, the date of the car bombing, is the anniversary of Qaddafi’s 1969 revolution that overthrew King Idris I and put Qaddafi in power for 42 years. Qaddafi was overthrown in the 17 February 2011 revolution.
Bani Walid – a former Qaddafi stronghold
Bani Walid prospered under the 42-year Qaddafi regime with its people holding some of the highest positions under Qaddafi rule. It was the last strongholds of Qaddafi support during the 2011 revolution. It needed a military operation in September-October 2011 to force it to succumb to the 17 February regime.
It is believed that there is still a sizable number of passive Qaddafi supporters in the town today and the town is still notorious for being one of the few places in Libya who will openly celebrate the 1 September using Qaddafi’s old green flag.
