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The bombardment and closure of Tripoli
international airport over the past three days served
as yet another confirmation that Libyan militia
groups enjoy freedom of action, unencumbered by
either law or government forces.
The fresh round of fighting broke out early Sunday
morning when a coalition of Islamist militia groups
along with another militia group from Misrata,
located 193km east of the capital, attacked a rival
militia group from Zintan, a small but powerful town
in Libya’s western mountains located 145km
southwest of the capital, over control of Tripoli’s
international airport.
Since the 2011 uprising that overthrew Muammar
Gaddafi, Tripoli international airport has been under
the control of the Zintan militia group. Pictures
posted on several social media platforms show the
Zintan militias trenched inside the airport setting up
a makeshift field clinic in the airport lobby.
Many Libyans wonder aloud which neighbouring
country would tolerate armed bands launching
artillery at their main airport, undisturbed by security
forces. “It’s incredible,” said Mohammed, a waiter at
a downtown coffee bar. “These guys (militias) go
where they want, do what they want.”
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