CLASHES between heavily armed militias shook the Libyan capital today following the killing of a powerful warlord, officials said, with at least six people confirmed dead.

Fighting broke out late on Monday and continued into the early hours in the southern Tripoli neighbourhood of Abu Salim, with gunfire and explosions heard across the city.

The violence erupted after Abdel-Ghani al-Kikli, known as “Gheniwa” and head of the powerful Stabilisation Support Authority (SSA), was shot dead inside a facility run by the rival 444 Brigade. 

That militia, led by Mahmoud Hamza, is closely aligned with Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.

The SSA has long been accused of human rights abuses, and Amnesty International has linked Mr Kikli to war crimes over the past decade. 

The Health Ministry confirmed six deaths and reported evacuations of families trapped in the crossfire. 

Schools and the University of Tripoli suspended activities.

“It was a nightmare,” said Ahmed Ammer, who lives in the city centre, adding that the clashes were reminiscent of the civil war following the 2011 overthrow and killing of longtime ruler Muammar Gadaffi.

Libya remains divided between rival administrations in the east and west, each backed by different militias and foreign powers.