Dbeibeh’s militia gambit: Power consolidation or prelude to more Libya chaos?
Despite the Tripoli-based government's attempts to rein in militias in the capital following clashes, the long-standing issues and disputes will not be resolved any time soon.
Libya is seeking to move on from unprecedented militia clashes that erupted in the capital last month and pushed it to the brink of fresh conflict. As part of these efforts, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, prime minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU), announced on June 10 that his security forces will begin integrating militias back into the state structure.
Following a meeting on June 12 with UN Special Representative Hanna Tetteh in Tripoli, Dbeibeh said the move is part of a broader effort led by the Presidential Council — the body tasked with facilitating the functions of the head of state — to restore state authority and reduce the influence of militias operating outside government control.
The plan has temporarily reduced fears of a new conflict since the ceasefire in October 2020, which ended the war between the internationally recognized GNU in Tripoli and Khalifa Hifter’s eastern forces aligned with the rival government in Tobruk.
Dbeibeh’s announcement came on the heels of violent clashes in Tripoli in mid‑May. On May 13, forces loyal to Dbeibeh assassinated Abdelghani al‑Kikli, known as Ghnewa — one of Tripoli’s most powerful militia leaders and head of the Stability Support Apparatus (SSA) militia. Ghnewa was shot dead during a meeting at the Tekbali military base with Mahmoud Hamza, commander of the influential and Dbeibeh‑aligned 444 Brigade.
