By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 3 August 2016:
The appearance of a black Islamic State (IS) flag on a housing block on Tripoli’s Airport Road resulted in shooting this afternoon between supporters of the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB/Benghazi Saraya) and forces under the control of Abu Sleem warlord Abdul Ghani Kikli (better known as Ghneiwa), according to security sources in the city.
Some of the unfinished housing blocks along the road near Abu Sleem had been taken over by refugees from Kikla. These were more recently joined by families of fighters belonging to the Benghazi Revolutionary Shoura Council who had fled the city for Tripoli. They now support the BDB. Earlier today, some put up the black flag used by both IS and Ansar Al-Sharia on one of the buildings. It resulted in Ghneiwa’s fighters then shooting at it. The residents of the building managed to escape and there have been no injuries, the Libya Herald was told.
Formerly a supporter of Libya Dawn but now allegedly willing to support anyone who will pay him, Ghneiwa runs the area as a personal fiefdom. He currently is seen as deeply opposed to Misratan forces in the city. Yesterday, his forces joined in clashes at the Waha Bank in Ghut Shaal, an area he is trying to extend his influence over.
