Shrine Bombing in Zliten Sparks Fears of Extremist Resurgence in Western Libya

Shrine Bombing in Zliten Sparks Fears of Extremist Resurgence in Western Libya
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A bombing targeting the shrine of Sheikh Muftah Al-Sufrani in the city of Zliten, western Libya, has raised fears of a renewed extremist presence in the region. The explosion occurred early Sunday, destroying the shrine but causing no casualties. Authorities have not issued an official statement.

Local reports indicate that surveillance cameras captured a vehicle stopping near the site, with a man planting an explosive device that was later detonated remotely. The shrine, dating back to the early 20th century, is a prominent religious landmark, housing a Quran memorization center and attracting visitors from across Libya.

Analysts warn that such attacks are part of broader strategies where political rivalries, extremist ideology, and the influence of armed groups intersect. The incident echoes a wave of shrine demolitions and attacks in Tripoli, Misrata, Benghazi, and Derna since 2011, many of which were documented by local and international rights organizations as serious violations of cultural and religious heritage.

Activists condemned the latest bombing, labeling it a terrorist act that requires accountability. Representatives of the Supreme Council of Sufism in western Libya criticized the authorities’ silence, holding the state responsible for safeguarding religious and historic sites amid ongoing insecurity and widespread arms proliferation.