One of Libya’s most influential militia leaders, Abdel Ghani Al Kikli, known as Gheniwa, was killed on Monday night, triggering violent clashes across the capital Tripoli.
Al Kikli was the commander of the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA), one of the city's most powerful militant groups, based in western Libya, in the densely populated Abu Salim neighbourhood. The group has been accused of committing atrocities and faces allegations of crimes against humanity during the country’s long-running conflict.
He was killed at the headquarters of the 444th Combat Brigade of the Libyan army, a militia commanded by Mahmoud Hamza, a warlord close to Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.
Al Kikli was a baker in 2011, when the Arab Spring sparked the uprising against former president Muammar Qaddafi. He rallied neighbours in his Abu Salim district to take over a local army barracks.
Continuing clashes across the capital has left at least six people dead, according to Libya's Emergency Medicine and Support Centre.
Libya expert Jalel Harchaoui told AFP that Al Kikli was likely ambushed at the base, citing a relative of the SSA leader.
Mr Harchaoui described Al Kikli as one of Tripoli's “most successful armed group leaders”, with an “ability to outmanoeuvre Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah”.
Mr Harchaoui said this would mean a “territorial reshuffle” in the capital, with the 444 Brigade seizing areas formerly controlled by the SSA.
Al Kikli “was de facto king of Tripoli,” Tarek Megerisi of the European Council on Foreign Relations told Reuters. “His henchmen controlled the internal security agency … cash transfers from the central bank … numerous public companies and ministries”.
It has been reported that Al Kikli was involved in disputes with rival armed groups, including those linked to the city of Misurata.
The SSA militia is under the Presidential Council that came to power in 2021 with the government of national unity (GNU) of Mr Dbeibah through a UN-backed process.
Human Rights abuses
Amnesty International said on Tuesday that it has documented crimes including enforced disappearances and deaths in custody by SSA militia members under Al Kikli's command, as well as interceptions of refugees and migrants at sea that have been marred by reports of violence, leading to loss of life.
Gunmen loyal to Al Kikli ran prisons and occupied government ministries and financial institutions.
The human rights agency also called for the government to hold militia leaders across the country to account following the surrender of many SSA members, said the report.
“For years, the SSA terrorised people in Tripoli through enforced disappearances, torture, and other crimes under international law,” Mahmoud Shalaby, Egypt and Libya Researcher at Amnesty International, said in the report.
“SSA members subjected hundreds of migrants and refugees to torture, forced labour and rape after intercepting them at sea and returning them to detention centres under SSA’s command,” he said.
In addition, a United Nations panel of experts reported in December that Al Kikli was a central figure in Libya’s balance of power, playing a key role in militia financing through corrupt practices.
Yuki Means Happiness
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The specs: 2019 Infiniti QX50
Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 268hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
