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Libyans Divided over Date of Eid al-Fitr

People perform Eid al-Fitr prayers in the Libyan eastern city of Benghazi on Friday. (Reuters)
People perform Eid al-Fitr prayers in the Libyan eastern city of Benghazi on Friday. (Reuters)
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Libyans Divided over Date of Eid al-Fitr

People perform Eid al-Fitr prayers in the Libyan eastern city of Benghazi on Friday. (Reuters)
People perform Eid al-Fitr prayers in the Libyan eastern city of Benghazi on Friday. (Reuters)

Libyans are celebrating Eid al-Fitr holiday on different days because of a dispute between the General Authority of Awqaf and Dar Al Iftaa about seeing the crescent moon of the month of Shawwal.

Religious authorities in eastern Libya said they had sighted the crescent moon on Thursday, making it the last day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan and setting Friday as Eid.

However, in Tripoli, religious authorities affiliated with the interim Government of National Unity (GNU) said they had not seen the moon and the holiday would not begin until Saturday, meaning people should fast another day.

UN special envoy to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily extended his wishes to the Libyan people inside and outside the country.

In a statement, he said: “I hope that the joy of Eid, after the blessed month of Ramadan, will strengthen solidarity for peace and national unity among the Libyan people.”

The envoy called upon “all Libyans political actors, military and security leaders, notables, societal representatives, institutions and authorities to come together in a spirit of compromise for the sake of establishing a clear and unified pathway towards lasting peace, stability and prosperity.”

He also urged “women and youth to seize the occasion of this celebration to renew their commitment to participate fully in the electoral process as a meaningful contribution to rebuilding peace, security, stability and prosperity in their motherland.”

He continued: “I renew my calls for the release of those arbitrarily detained all over Libya as a critical foundation for confidence-building and for establishing a comprehensive, rights-based reconciliation. This is also an opportunity to encourage all stakeholders to rally behind the UN’s comprehensive approach to enable national elections this year.”

The statement concluded: “The people of Libya are eager to turn the page of suffering and division, and open a new chapter of peace, stability and prosperity in their country. Let’s not fail them.”

On the eve of the division over the date of the holiday, Halima Abdel Rahman, GNU Minister of Justice, supervised the release of 1,057 prisoners from the new Correction and Rehabilitation Center.

In a statement on Thursday evening, the ministry said that on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, and under the directives of the GNU Prime Minister, the Minister of Justice oversaw the pardon and release of the inmates.

This initiative “contributes to consolidating bridges of openness and reconciliation,” the minister underlined.

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Clashes Erupt between Local Factions, Armed Tribal Groups in Syria’s Suwayda

Scenes of normal life in the town of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya (SANA)
Scenes of normal life in the town of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya (SANA)
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Clashes Erupt between Local Factions, Armed Tribal Groups in Syria’s Suwayda

Scenes of normal life in the town of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya (SANA)
Scenes of normal life in the town of Ashrafiyat Sahnaya (SANA)

Intense clashes erupted in southern Syria between local factions in Suwayda province and armed tribal groups from the surrounding countryside, stoking fears of renewed sectarian violence between communities in Suwayda and neighboring Daraa.

The fighting broke out in the western countryside of Suwayda, just a day after Druze religious leaders and community elders announced the start of an agreement intended to bring stability to the area. Conflicting reports have emerged about the reasons behind the escalation.

Local Telegram channels reported what they called a “military escalation” as armed Bedouin groups, described as “outlaws,” were accused of attempting to break a siege around Bedouin-inhabited villages in the western countryside. Mortar exchanges and machine gun fire were reported between the two sides.

In particular, the village of Al-Dara, home to Bedouin tribes, was reportedly shelled from the nearby town of Al-Thaala. In response, tribal fighters launched a counteroffensive, leading to clashes that involved the use of heavy weaponry.

The independent news outlet Suwayda 24 reported that Al-Thaala itself came under attack from unknown groups firing mortars and machine guns from the western outskirts of the town. The incident triggered a gun battle between local defenders and the attackers.

Rumors further fueled tensions, with some claiming that local factions attempted to destroy a mosque and targeted civilian neighborhoods. Meanwhile, Al-Rasid, another outlet covering Suwayda, noted a sharp increase in provocative videos and audio messages alleging that Suwayda factions were besieging tribal areas and setting fire to mosques.

Officials have denied these claims. Religious leaders reaffirmed that mosques remained protected by local factions. Despite this, armed groups from eastern Daraa, reportedly not locals, began shelling Suwayda villages.

Sources in Daraa told Suwayda 24 that these groups, arriving on motorcycles and in vehicles equipped with mortars and heavy weapons, have been trying to provoke unrest for days. Videos and messages circulated on WhatsApp were allegedly aimed at inciting local communities.

The clashes have already had humanitarian consequences. Mortar attacks on villages including Haran, Al-Thaala, Rasas, and Ara resulted in the death of one civilian and injuries to eight others. Dozens of families, particularly women and children, have fled to safer areas.

Local sources say the violence is a deliberate attempt to sow discord between the Druze and tribal communities. They urged residents of both Suwayda and Daraa to resist incitement and work together to de-escalate the situation.

Meanwhile, Syria’s Interior Ministry announced the release of 22 detainees from the towns of Sahnaya and Ashrafiyat Sahnaya in Damascus Countryside, stating they were not involved in bloodshed during recent unrest.

Separately, the Israeli military announced it had raided and destroyed a former Syrian regime command post on Mount Hermon. Israeli forces reportedly uncovered weapons caches and military infrastructure during the operation and seized the materials.