Libya's capital, Tripoli, lost its calm during the last days of August as local political rivals opted for force to settle differences. Fierce fighting claimed 32 lives, and over a hundred were left injured. This development is a fresh diplomatic setback and ushers in a new chapter of power struggle in a country ravaged by a decadelong instability.

In February 2021, Libya's competing forces agreed to form a unity government, which many saw as a step toward peace. Abdul Hamid Dbeibah was selected as prime minister and was supposed to assume power up to December 2021. He would hand over power to an elected authority. However, the unstable security and political environment hindered the conduct of the electoral process. Such a failure planted the seeds of the latest fighting.

The magnitude of the dispute worsened early this year. In February, the Libyan parliament appointed Fathi Bashagha as the new prime minister after withdrawing confidence from Dbeibah. The latter remains the UN-recognized prime minister, and he insists that he will only hand over power after elections.

On Aug. 26-27, forces affiliated with Bashagha attempted to take control of Tripoli and oust the Dbeibah-led government, shattering hope for a near peaceful solution.