LibyaPolitics

Who controls Tripoli?

Heavy clashes have gripped the south of Libyan capital Tripoli since Wednesday between rival militias linked to the U.N.-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).

Since its arrival in Tripoli in March 2016, the GNA has had to rely on militia groups. However, the GNA’s control over these militias appears limited. Below is a guide to some of the capital’s most prominent militias:

RADA Special Deterrence Forces

RADA was originally a fighting unit that helped topple dictator Muammar Qaddafi in the 2011 revolution. The force is led by Abdul Rauf Kara, a former member of the police force. After the revolution, the force was relabeled as RADA Special Deterrence forces under the guidance of the Ministry of Interior.

The group has an estimated 1,500 members. It is currently the largest militia in Tripoli. About 90% of their force is legitimate police officers, 70% who served in the Libyan police force prior to the 2011 revolution. Their main area of operations in Tripoli is the eastern areas of Soug Al Jouma and Ain Zara. Their headquarters are at Mitiga International Airport.

Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade

The Tripoli Revolutionaries Brigade was a unit of the National Liberation Army of Libya created during the Libyan Civil War. Originally formed in April 2011 in the opposition stronghold of Benghazi, it later relocated itself in the Nafusa Mountains, then in Tripoli.

It is considered the second largest force in Tripoli in terms of the number of elements, and controls most of the southern area of the capital.

Abu Salim Central Security Forces

These forces are led by Abdul Ghani al-Kikli, who is nicknamed Ghaniwa. They are variously referred to as the Abu Salim Battalion, the name of a central Tripoli district, which the force controls.

Affiliated to the GNA, the group is the third largest militia dominating central Tripoli.

Nawasi Battalion

This is another powerful group linked to the GNA. It is the fourth largest militia group in Tripoli. It has previously deployed around the city’s Mitiga airport in response to suspicions of an imminent attack in the area by a rival militia.

Al-Daman Brigade of Tajura

It is one of the largest forces based in Tajura region and is led by the Dureder family

The 42 Battalion

It is one of the battalions stationed in eastern Tripoli – in an area called Wadi al-Rabie, or the Spring Valley. It has a large military barracks.

Baqara Battalion

The Baqara Battalion is named after its leader Bashir Khalfallah, nicknamed Bashir al-Baqara, and has been repeatedly involved in fighting at Tripoli’s Mitiga airport and air base. It controls the east of the capital.

Forsan Janzour (Janzour Knights) Brigade

A force stationed in the region of Janzour, and controls the entire north-west areas of Tripoli.

Tarhuna 7th Brigade (Kaniyat)

The Tarhuna 7th Brigade, dubbed the Kaniyat after its leader Mohamed al-Kani. It comes from nearby Tarhuna, some 60km southeast of the capital.

The Tripoli Revolutionaries, Abu Salim Forces, and Nawasi Battalion agreed to stop fighting the Tarhuna Brigade after a deal guaranteed that it would withdraw from positions in central Tripoli.

Halbous Brigade (Battalion 301)

The Battalion 301 is an offshoot of the Halbous Brigade which hails from the influential city of Misratah. It is deployed in the south-west of the capital.

In June 2017, the UN-backed Prime Minister Faiez al-Sarraj appointed its leader as the commander of his authorities’ Central Military Region.

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