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Libya’s Dbeibah Seeks to Contain Zawiya Militias after Al-Bidja’s Assassination

Head of Libya’s Government of National Unity Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah is seen with Abdulrahman Milad, also known as “Al-Bidja,” the Commander of the Naval Academy. (File photo)
Head of Libya’s Government of National Unity Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah is seen with Abdulrahman Milad, also known as “Al-Bidja,” the Commander of the Naval Academy. (File photo)
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Libya’s Dbeibah Seeks to Contain Zawiya Militias after Al-Bidja’s Assassination

Head of Libya’s Government of National Unity Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah is seen with Abdulrahman Milad, also known as “Al-Bidja,” the Commander of the Naval Academy. (File photo)
Head of Libya’s Government of National Unity Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah is seen with Abdulrahman Milad, also known as “Al-Bidja,” the Commander of the Naval Academy. (File photo)

Head of Libya’s Government of National Unity Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah ordered on Monday an investigation into the assassination of Abdulrahman Milad, also known as “Al-Bidja,” the Commander of the Naval Academy.

Gunmen shot dead Al-Bidja in front of the Academy of Naval Studies in Janzour on Sunday.

Soon after, armed groups, including members of the 103rd infantry brigade, also known as the Al-Silaa brigade, headed by Othman al-Lahab, mobilized towards the al-Sayyad area in al-Zawiya, shutting the coastal road connecting it to the capital Tripoli.

Dbeibah mourned Al-Bidja’s death and ordered the Interior Ministry and relevant agencies to open an immediate probe into his killing.

Member of the Presidential Council Abdullah al-Lafi and head of the High Council of State Khalid al-Mishri also mourned Al-Bidja.

Mishri called on the concerned agencies to uncover the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

Tensions were high between rival factions in Zawiya in wake of the deployment of the armed groups.

Al-Bidja was named in a 2018 UN report for involvement in human trafficking and human rights abuses. The US Treasury slapped sanctions against him that same year.

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Clashes Renew Between Sudanese Army, RSF in Khartoum

A Sudanese army unit on a street in the capital Khartoum (archive - AFP)
A Sudanese army unit on a street in the capital Khartoum (archive - AFP)
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Clashes Renew Between Sudanese Army, RSF in Khartoum

A Sudanese army unit on a street in the capital Khartoum (archive - AFP)
A Sudanese army unit on a street in the capital Khartoum (archive - AFP)

Fierce fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resumed in Khartoum after weeks of calm. The renewed clashes took place near the “Hattab” military base in northern Khartoum Bahri, part of the greater Khartoum area.

Witnesses told Asharq Al-Awsat that both heavy and light weapons were used in the battle near the army’s base. Residents said the RSF launched a surprise attack early Monday from several directions.

Army media reported that the military repelled the RSF attack, forcing them to retreat and destroying several of their vehicles.

The frontlines in northern Khartoum Bahri have remained mostly quiet for over a month, aside from occasional skirmishes with light weapons.

The heaviest fighting has been concentrated in Omdurman, which is also a part of the greater Khartoum metropolitan area, and where the RSF have been carrying out almost daily artillery strikes.

RSF-affiliated social media pages shared videos claiming they have taken control of the Hattab military base in Khartoum Bahri. According to these videos, the RSF forces pushed into the base after fierce resistance from the army, capturing or killing several soldiers.

The clashes followed reports that the RSF had been massing troops in the East Nile area, preparing for an attack on the heavily fortified army base.

In Omdurman, sporadic clashes and operations between the Sudanese army and the RSF continued in residential areas. The RSF controls most of Khartoum and Khartoum Bahri, while the army holds much of Omdurman.

The army’s air force launched heavy strikes on RSF-controlled areas, particularly in El Fasher and Mellit in North Darfur.

Social media posts show the damage in Mellit, where the RSF is based and from where they attack El Fasher, which is held by the army.

Residents told Asharq Al-Awsat that the airstrikes hit civilian areas, killing and injuring several people and causing significant damage to homes and businesses.

They noted that the strikes targeted the city's market, leading to many casualties and widespread destruction.