Killing of powerful militia leader in Tripoli leads to 6 deaths

The killing of Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, known as Gheniwa, head of the powerful Stability Support Apparatus (SSA) militia in Tripoli, has sparked deadly clashes in the Libyan capital, The Guardian reported. At least six people were killed following his death on Monday night at the 444th Combat Brigade headquarters, according to local security sources.

Kikli’s SSA, based in the Abu Salim neighborhood, has faced accusations of crimes against humanity, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and abuse of asylum seekers in detention centers. His militia was implicated in widespread human rights violations documented by Amnesty International and the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights.

Kikli was a key figure in Libya’s militia power dynamics and was involved in corrupt financing practices, according to a UN Security Council report. His name also appears in a 2022 complaint to the International Criminal Court alleging crimes against migrants and refugees.

Following the killing, gunfire erupted across Tripoli, prompting the government’s interior ministry to urge residents to stay indoors for safety. The UN mission called for an immediate ceasefire, warning that attacks on civilians may constitute war crimes. Libya remains unstable amid ongoing factional conflicts since 2011.