Cautious Calm Returns to Libya's Tripoli After Heavy Clashes

Forces loyal to the Dbeibeh government in the streets of Tripoli (Reuters)
Forces loyal to the Dbeibeh government in the streets of Tripoli (Reuters)
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Cautious Calm Returns to Libya's Tripoli After Heavy Clashes

Forces loyal to the Dbeibeh government in the streets of Tripoli (Reuters)
Forces loyal to the Dbeibeh government in the streets of Tripoli (Reuters)

Cautious calm returned to the Libyan capital hours after the militias affiliated with the interim government, headed by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, thwarted the second failed attempt of militias linked with the government of his rival Fathi Bashagha to control Tripoli.

Video footage showed that the battles ended temporarily, and militias left the airport road and surrounding areas.

Clashes erupted near the Islamic Call association's headquarters between Major General Osama al-Juwaili militias affiliated with Bashagha, and the "Mobile National Force" loyal to the Dbeibeh government.

After hours of heavy fighting, the Dbeibeh militia managed to confront the attack of the Juwaili militias, which sought to control Abdul Rahim al-Rumaih's base.

Local media broadcast footage of the withdrawal of the Juwaili militia after the "444th Brigade", affiliated with Dbeibeh, intervened following mediation to end the clashes.

In a video, military units at the Rumaih's base denied that the Juwaili militia had taken control of the headquarters, while the "Mobile Force" said it countered the attack.

Residents and activists reported that a drone flew over the al-Sarraj and Ain Zara areas in Tripoli.

There was no immediate response from the Presidential Council, led by Mohammed al-Menfi, or Dbeibeh or Bashagha governments about the clashes.

Sources reported the death of a militant and injury of four others, noting that a retail store was burnt to the ground in the Edraiby area.

This is the second attempt of the militias loyal to the Bashaga government to gain a strategic foothold in the capital, which the Dbeibeh government controls.

Dbeibeh asserted that it would only concede power to a cabinet elected by the people.

Bashagha, supported by the House of Representatives, has settled temporarily in Sirte. He seeks to enter Tripoli peacefully without armed clashes.

However, Dbeibeh dismissed Juwaili as head of the Military Intelligence. He is one of the most prominent supporters of Bashagha and is leading efforts to enable the government to work from within Tripoli.

Juwaili is still heading the joint operations room in the western military region, which was dissolved by the Presidential Council, which recently issued a decision to end all similar military operations rooms established years ago.



Israeli Airstrike Hits Hospital Entrance in Gaza, Wounding 10 Medics and Patients 

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Palestinian homes in the Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, 14 April 2025. (EPA)
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Palestinian homes in the Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, 14 April 2025. (EPA)
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Israeli Airstrike Hits Hospital Entrance in Gaza, Wounding 10 Medics and Patients 

Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Palestinian homes in the Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, 14 April 2025. (EPA)
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Palestinian homes in the Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, 14 April 2025. (EPA)

An Israeli airstrike hit the northern gate of a field hospital in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, wounding 10 people, including three medics and seven patients, a spokesman for the hospital said.

The strike hit the Kuwaiti Field Hospital in the Muwasi area, where hundreds of thousands of people have sought shelter in sprawling tent camps. Saber Mohammed, a spokesman for the hospital, said two of the patients were critically wounded.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.

The military has struck hospitals on several occasions during the 18-month war, accusing Hamas fighters of hiding out in them or using them for military purposes. Hospital staff have denied the allegations and accused Israel of recklessly endangering civilians and gutting the territory's health system.

On Sunday, Israel struck the last major hospital providing critical care in northern Gaza after ordering an evacuation. A patient died during the evacuation, and the strike severely damaged the emergency room, pharmacy and surrounding buildings, according to Al-Ahli Hospital.

The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which runs the hospital, condemned the strike.

Israel said it targeted a Hamas command and control center within the facility, without providing evidence. Hamas denied the allegations.

The war began when Hamas-led gunmen attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Fifty-nine hostages are still inside Gaza, 24 of whom are believed to be alive, after most of the rest were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed nearly 51,000 people, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. It does not say how many were civilians or combatants but says women and children make up more than half of the dead. The offensive has destroyed a vast part of the territory and displaced around 90% of its population of roughly 2 million Palestinians.