The port of Tripoli in Libya has temporarily halted its operations due to a wave of looting and theft. Criminals stole dozens of vehicles, cash, and computers from the port's premises, according to the newspaper Al-Shahed, citing unnamed sources.
Social media videos have surfaced showing unidentified individuals removing private belongings owned by local residents from the port area. While the police have yet to launch an official investigation, Al-Shahed's sources blamed the looting on Libya's Government of National Unity (GNU) and its allied armed groups.
"We have documented everything on video and audio, and we hold GNU Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh personally responsible for the plundering in Tripoli carried out by forces under his command," one source told the newspaper.
Al-Shahed also reports that Tripoli residents have started to form self-defense groups to protect themselves and their property from further looting.
The situation in Tripoli deteriorated rapidly during the night of May 12-13, following armed clashes between Mahmoud Hamza's 444th Brigade and the Stabilization Support Apparatus. The violence was sparked by the killing of the apparatus's leader, Abdelghani Al-Kikli. Fighting lasted for several hours. After the confrontation, the GNU's Ministry of Defense announced that it had successfully stabilized the situation, and Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh promised reforms to the capital's security forces.
However, these actions triggered anger among locals and led to renewed violence. According to Libyan medical officials, at least six people—including civilians—were killed and around 70 injured in a single night. On May 14, large protests erupted in Tripoli, with demonstrators holding Dbeibeh's cabinet responsible and calling for his resignation. On the night of May 17, one protester was killed and several wounded during shelling by GNU-aligned forces.
Later, Prime Minister Dbeibeh described the protests in the capital as "irritating."
