Crisis Looms in Libya’s Misrata as Armed Clashes Rage; Self-Determination Protests Erupt in Syria’s Suwayda

Crisis Looms in Libya’s Misrata as Armed Clashes Rage; Self-Determination Protests Erupt in Syria’s Suwayda
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Recent events in both Libya and Syria underscore deepening regional instability, marked by intense internal armed clashes in Libya and ongoing protests demanding self-determination in Syria.

The city of Misrata in western Libya has witnessed its most intense armed clashes since the 2011 revolution. The fighting involved two groups affiliated with the Abdul Hamid Dbeibah government, battling for security influence.

As reported by the Shia Waves Agency, citing Al Jazeera, the confrontations began in the Al-Seket area and quickly spread to the airport road and Al-Ghiran, leading to the temporary closure of the airport. Analysts warn that the government’s persistent inability to control rival militias remains a major obstacle to achieving political stability in Libya.

Simultaneously, dozens of citizens in Syria’s Suwayda province gathered in Al-Karama Square to protest, chanting slogans demanding the “right to self-determination.”

The demonstration also called for the disclosure of the fate of missing persons, the protection of minorities, and the liberation of northern and western areas from the control of armed groups affiliated with the transitional government. According to the Shia Waves Agency, citing The Guardian, participants urged the international community to pressure the Damascus government to facilitate the return of displaced persons. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that Suwayda residents are facing a severe crisis marked by widespread water cuts, fuel shortages, and deepening livelihood challenges.