A video in downtown Sabratha sparked controversy, as Ahmed Al-Dabbashi, known as “Ammo”, who is wanted by the Security Council since 7 June 2018, when the council imposed, in an unprecedented step, sanctions on a list of human smugglers and traffickers in Libya.
The appearance of Al-Dabbashi in Sabratha came about 3 days after Government of National Accord forces entered and controlled the city, and despite conflicting reports previously about the nature of his relationship with the GNA, he appeared in the video as he spoke to the people of the city about his contact with figures from Sabratha to ensure that GNA forces entered to the city with the least losses.
He spoke to the people about his surprise at the reception he received from Sabratha residents and the lack of response to the mediation attempts he made in favor of the GNA, saying that he was waiting for a welcome from the people of Sabratha, except that it was the opposite.
Al-Dabbashi stressed that the GNA is the legitimate authority in Libya, trying to persuade the citizens who have gathered around him, of the importance of handing over all the official headquarters to GNA’s affiliated bodies to avoid what happened with the security directorate, which was set on fire.
It is noteworthy that the Security Council had described Al-Dabbashi as “the leader in the illegal activities related to trafficking migrants, and his militia maintains relations with terrorist and violent extremist groups.”
The Security Council said in the text of its resolution: “There is a lot of evidence that Al-Dabbashi militia was directly involved in the illegal trafficking and smuggling of migrants, and that its militia controls the areas of migrants’ departure, their camps, their shelters and their boats.”
“Ahmed Al-Dabbashi and Anas al-Dabbashi militias have long had links to ISIS ans its affiliated groups. Al-Dabbashi activities contribute greatly to the escalation of violence and insecurity in western Libya and threaten peace and stability in Libya and neighboring countries.” The Security Council added.
