2016–17 West Libya clashes

2016-17 West Libya clashes
Part of Libyan Crisis (2011–present), post-civil war violence in Libya and second Libyan Civil War
Date 14 October 2016 – present (9 months, 1 week and 3 days) Location Western Libya Result Ongoing The Rixos Al Nasr Hotel, the Government Palace, and some ministries located in Tripoli are seized by the Presidential Guard in October 2016 The GNA maintains control of Tariq al-Sikka Palace and the Abu Sitta Naval Base Al Khums seized by GNS New clashes erupted in December Libyan National Guard entered Tripoli in February. GNA recaptures Rixos Al Nasr Hotel and Guest Palace complex in March 2017 GNA forces all GNC-loyal militias from Tripoli Fighting continues at the outskirts of Tripoli after pro-GNC forces withdraw from Tripoli on 29 May 2017 while GNA control all of Tripoli[1]
Belligerents
Government of National Accord Ministry of Interior Al-Bunyan al-Marsous Abu Sleem Central Security Force[2][3]	Government of National Salvation Presidential Guard Misrata Brigades[4][5] Libyan National Guard Tripoli Revolutionaries' Brigade High Council of Revolution (from December 2016)
Commanders and leaders
Fayez al-Sarraj (Prime Minister-designate) Ahmed Maiteeq Abdulrahman Asswehly	Khalifa al-Ghawil (WIA) Awad Abdul Saddeq Ali Ramali[6] Haytham Tajouri[7] Omar al-Hassi
Casualties and losses
Unknown	2 PG members killed[8]
17 killed, 46+ wounded[9][10]

A Libyan coup d'état attempt took place on 14 October 2016. The attempt was conducted by the former head of the "Government of National Salvation" Khalifa al-Ghawil against Prime Minister-designate Fayez al-Sarraj.

Background

Following the ousting of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya by NATO forces in 2011, the country had been in a state of discord and civil war. From April 2016, two rival governments existed, one based in Tripoli and the other in Tobruk. In April 2016, the UN brokered an agreement to create a Government of National Accord (GNA), effectively disbanding the Government of National Salvation (GNS). The latter's former leader, Khalifa al-Ghawil, rejected the proposal and became the subject of EU sanctions.^[11]

Other factions in the East led by Marshal Khalifa Haftar also opposed the GNA. His forces had taken over the four key oil ports of Essidra, Ra's Lanuf, Brega and Al-Zueitina, but were cooperating with the GNA to permit oil exports.^[12]

In August 2016, a 94-member rival to the High Council of State (HCS) was proclaimed in Benghazi and its members offered to join the official HCS.^[13] On 10 October, the HCS's headquarters was attacked by unknown gunmen.^[14]

Coup d'état attempts

Late on 14 October, al-Ghawil proclaimed the reinstatement of the former GNS, having taken over the offices of a key consultative body of the GNA at the Rixos Hotel,^[12] a complex of administrative buildings and a television station, with GNA forces pulling back in the late afternoon without violence. The GNS supporters said the GNA was "void" and that they had replaced it.^[15] Al-Ghawil also declared all members of the GNA "suspended from their duties."^[11] He also said: "The presidential council was given chances one after another to form the government, but it has failed...and has become an illegal executive authority." He called for a new administration to be formed by the former Tripoli and Tobruk governments. He further claimed that all institutions including banks, the judiciary, and local authorities were under their jurisdiction.

The following day, the GNS-supporting militiamen in pickup trucks with mounted machine guns remained in place,^[15] though Tripoli was calm after the events. Meanwhile, the GNA posted images on social media showing its Presidential Council and ministers holding a meeting in the main offices of parliament in a different part of Tripoli,^[12] though earlier reports suggested they may have been in neighboring Tunisia.^[15] The GNA then reacted by threatening to arrest "those politicians who... attempt to create parallel institutions and destabilise the capital," while also condemning "efforts to sabotage the political agreement" and denounced the seizure of the Council of State building by an "armed group."^[11]

On 16 October, forces loyal to al-Ghawil sent reinforcements to protect the parliament building.^[16] They also seized the Government Palace.^[17] On the same day, fighting near a refugee camp in the area of Fallah, near the road to the airport, led to the death of at least one woman. Six other people, including a child, were wounded.^[9] The Presidential Guard then also pledged allegiance to the GNS.^[18] It was reported by Jeune Afrique that the Presidential Guard dropped the GNA because of unpaid wages.^[19]

On 17 October, Ghwail claimed on television that the GNS had fully taken control of the capital.^[20] Clashes between Ghawil forces and policemen also occurred.^[21]

Further clashes

On 5 November 2016, GNS seized Al Khums.^[22] Tripoli Revolutionary Brigades issued a statement calling on the Presidential Council to commit to Skhirat agreement or declare it as a failure, while blaming GNA for deteriorating living and security conditions in Libya. It also urged Khalifa Haftar to be stopped from carrying out a possible coup.^[23]

On 28 November, representatives from House of Representatives (HoR) and GNC met in Tripoli to reach a deal and form a new government.^[24] On 1 December, Omar al-Hassi announced the formation of the High Council of Revolution, a parallel executive body.^[25]

Clashes occurred in Tripoli between the two sides from 1 to 2 December after pro-GNA militias attacked pro-GNS militias. 8 people were killed, including civilians, while more than 20 were wounded. Clashes were reported in many areas including Rixos hotel. A ceasefire agreement was reached the next day. The agreement required two armed groups in the Al-Nasr Park in Bab Benghashir areas to leave and hand the location to the Presidential Security Personnel of the Salvation Government before being transferred to the control of Youth and Sports Ministry.^[10][26][3] Omar al-Hassi meanwhle announced the creation of a new council called "High Council of Revolution".^[27] Clashes erupted again between Tripoli and Misratan militias on 4 December due to disputes over the control of territories.^[28]

GNS claimed it had seized the buildings of ministries of defence, labour and the "martyrs and the wounded” on 12 January 2017.^[29] A GNA spokesman later confirmed that the militias had tried to seize the buildings, however stated they were unsuccessful.^[30]

On 2 February 2017, clashes in western Tripoli district of Janzour near Bridge 17 broke out between Wirshefana militias and the Fursan Janzour brigade, with some sources suggesting up five people have been killed and 15 wounded.^[31]

On 10 February 2017, the newly created Libyan National Guard (LNG), which are loyal to GNC, entered Tripoli.^[32]

On 24 February 2017, 8 people was killed during fighting between GNA and GNS forces in Tripoli’s Abu Sleem district. Three of the dead were civilians, killed when a missile hit Hamza Street.^[33]

During nighttime on 13 March 2017, clashes erupted between armed residents of Gurji and Hay Andalus backed by Tripoli Revolutionaries’ Brigade against Misratan and Amazigh militias.^[34]

The fighting spread to other areas of Tripoli on 14 March.^[35] Tripoli Revolutionaries’ Brigade took control of the Rixos compound in Bab Bin Ghashir district after a night of fighting.^[34] Pro-GNA forces counterattacked on 15 March and recaptured the Guest Palace complex as well as the Rixos hotel. The office of the Al-Nabaa channel loyal to GNC was attacked by unknown gunmen and was burnt down in the clashes. The channel was taken off-air while Khalifa Al-Ghawil was also reported by one of his aides to have been injured in the clashes.^[36][37] A ceasefire agreement was later signed by GNA members, elders and councils of Misrata and Tripoli, Tripoli High Council for reconciliation and a number of brigades’ commanders from Tripoli, Souq al Jum'aa and Misrata during a meeting at Abu Sittal Naval Base. The agreement called for withdrawal of all armed groups from Tripoli in 30 days.^[38] The ceasefire was however rejected by both Tripoli Revolutionaries' Brigade as well as the Abu Sleem Central Security Force on 16 March while renewed clashes were reported.^[39][40]

On 9 May 2017, at least one person was killed and a number of others injured in Tripoli old town and around Musheer marketplace when two rival local militias clashed.^[41][42]

On 26 May 2017, at least 52 UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) fighters have been killed (at least 17 executed) and many others wounded in heavy clashes with rival militiamen in Abu Salim, Hai Damscus, Al-Eddine, Hai Akhwakh, Salahedeen and Qasr Bin Ghashir districts, according to a GNA official.^{[43][44][45][46]} The Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade reportedly seized Hadba Prison, where former Gaddafi officials were held after clashed with the Security Department Forces.^[47]

On 28th of May 2017, Presidential guard under command of GNA has taken control of Tripoli International Airport from Kani militia from city of Tarhuna. This marked first time in three years that airport has been controlled by force loyal to internationally-recognized government.^[48] By 29th of May, city of Tripoli was fully under control of pro-GNA forces, with all pro-GNC forces withdrawing as a result of clashes with pro-GNA forces.^[1]

On 4 July 2017, a family of five were reported killed and at least 32 injured in the early afternoon at a beach near Mitiga airport when a rocket-propelled grenade exploded beside them.^[49][50] Later on that day, Tripoli Revolutionaries’ Brigade had been sent to the area and the airport was forced to close.^[51]

On 7 July 2017, three Libyan National Army (LNA) soldiers belonging to the GNA's Brigade 103, along with two of their friends were found shot dead in Wadi Rabie, near Tripoli International Airport.^[52]

On 9 July 2017, heavy clashes were reportedly erupted between the National Guard and pro-Serraj forces in Castelverde.^[53] A day later, it was reported that GNA-allied militias which came out from Tripoli to block the advance of the pro-GNC forces have withdrawn back to their positions in Tripoli for due to unclear reasons.^[54]

On 11 July 2017, the Tripoli Revolutionaries’ Brigade (TRB) claimed to be in complete control of Garabulli after three days of fighting which forced more than 85 percent of the town population to flee. A Tripoli hospital reported four deaths during the fighting, including two foreign workers and 21 injuries.^[55]

Reactions

Domestic

On 15 October, al-Ghawil was accompanied by Awad Abdul Saddeq, first deputy president of the GNC, and the former head of the Presidential Guard, Ali Ramali, in calling upon Abdullah al-Thani, the head of the interim government in Beida, to join him in forming a national unity government.^[6]

On 19 October, Abdulrahman Asswehly, the head of the High Council of State, urged al-Ghawil's loyalist forces to leave the buildings that they had taken over from the GNA.^[56]

On 24 October, Fayez al-Sarraj said that he could use force to oust Ghawil forces from Tripoli.^[57]

On 5 November, a militia calling itself “The Brigades of Revolutionaries in Libya” rallied in Tripoli's Martyr Square, calling for a national dialogue while rejecting foreign moves to resolve the country’s political crisis. It accused the Presidential Council of deteriorating the situation in Libya while also criticising attacks on and seizure of governmental institutions during the coup.^[58]

After the clashes in mid-March, protests against militias were held in Tripoli on 18 March. Some pro-Haftar protestors were also present amongst the protestors. Shootings by gunmen to intimidate and disperse the protesters were also reported.^[59][60] In response to the protests, Misratan members of the House of Representatives stated that they were suspending all contacts with the Presidential Council until it apologized for the inflammatory statements which it alleged the protestors had made against Misrata. Misratan fighters and their supporters also closed the Dafnuya checkpoint on road from Misrata to Tripoli, demanding the release of all those kidnapped in Tripoli based in their opinions. They also demanded handing back of Guest Palaces to GNS as well as apology for attack on Rixos compound. It also called for mobilisation of Misratan fighters against what it alleged was a "conspiracy" in Tripoli, claiming it was being run by followers of Khalifa Haftar.^[61][62] Haftar meanwhile warned the militias to leave Tripoli, warning them that the Libyan National Army will attack them if they didn't and also condemned the attack on pro-Haftar protesters.^[63]

International

•  UN - Secretary-General Ban-ki Moon’s Special Representative for Libya Martin Kobler^[64] condemned the incident and warned it could sow "further disorder and insecurity."^[12] On 23 October, Martin Kobler, also urged them to leave the buildings.^[65]
•  Turkey - Turkey condemned the GNC coup and the Turkish President’s delegate, Emrullah İşler said "Turkey will keep on supporting the GNA and the political agreement signed in Skhirat resort, Morocco last December in order to see peace prevail in Libya," in a statement during a meeting with Libyan officials.^[66]

See also

• 2014 Libyan coup d'état attempts

References