The killing of a leading figure from one of Libya’s most powerful militias—facing accusations of mistreating asylum seekers and other serious crimes—has sparked violent clashes in Tripoli, which have led to at least six fatalities.
Abdel Ghani al-Kikli, known as Geniwa, is the commander of the Support Force Device SSA, an influential armed group operating out of the busy Abu Salim area of Tripoli.
Kikuri has been involved in escalating tensions with rival factions, particularly those linked to Misrata. His group operates under the Presidential Council, which came into authority alongside the National Unified Government (GNU) of Abdul Hamid Dobeiba in 2021, establishing control through means that some criticize as non-supportive.
Overnight, conflicts broke out following reports of Kikuri’s death, with gunfire reverberating throughout Tripoli’s city center and beyond.
The Emergency Care and Support Centre reported heightened activity, as the GNU’s Home Ministry urged residents to remain indoors for safety. This led to panic, with many drivers speeding through the streets.
One witness recounted, “I heard a loud bang, but then I saw a red light in the sky.” Others noted that the gunfire echoed ominously through neighborhoods like Abu Salim and Sarah Edin.
The UN mission in Libya called for an immediate ceasefire and reminded all parties of their duty to protect civilians, warning that any attacks on civilian areas could constitute war crimes.
Amnesty International, alongside the European Constitution and Human Rights Centre (Ecchr), has labeled Kikuri’s organization as a major perpetrator of violence within Libya’s detention facilities. A UN Security Council expert report from December 2024 classified him as a crucial player in the country’s power dynamics and key to militia funding through corrupt channels.
As leader of the SSA, Kikuri has faced allegations including extrajudicial killings, torture, and severe human rights violations. He appears in a complaint filed by the ECCHR in 2022, highlighting his involvement in systemic abuses against migrants and refugees.
Diana Eltahawi, Amnesty International’s deputy director for the region, stated in a 2022 report: “It’s not shocking that Al-Kikuri’s militias are again implicated in heinous acts against immigrants, refugees, and Libyans. This armed group has instilled fear in the Abu Salim district through death, torture, arbitrary killings, and illegal detentions.”
In March, a photo from a Libyan activist showed Kikuri in Rome, where he visited a friend recovering from injuries sustained in a prior attack in Tripoli.
Libya serves as a primary transit point for asylum seekers heading to Europe. For years, human rights organizations have documented the abuses faced by migrants, often trapped in overcrowded detention centers under militia control. Thousands from sub-Saharan Africa endure harsh conditions and mistreatment.
Since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising, Libya has struggled with stability, having been divided between eastern and western factions since a conflict erupted in 2014. Although a ceasefire was established in 2020, efforts to resolve the ongoing political crisis have yet to bear fruit. Major groups sometimes unite for armed confrontations, vying for control of the country’s substantial resources.
