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🛒 تسوق الآنAl-Far Forces Mourn Member Killed in Renewed Zawiya Clashes
Al-Far Forces Mourn Member Killed in Renewed Zawiya Clashes
Clashes shut down coastal road near Libya's key oil refinery as death toll rises
Armed clashes in the western Libyan city of Zawiya escalated Monday as forces affiliated with Mohammed Bahrun — known by the alias "Al-Far" — confirmed the death of one of their members during renewed fighting. The group's official mourning statement marks the latest casualty in a wave of violence that has gripped the strategic coastal city for weeks.
"Qwat Al-Far" (Al-Far Forces) announced the loss of a fighter in a brief statement circulated on social media and local news platforms, without disclosing the member's name or exact circumstances of death. The statement expressed condolences and described the fallen member as a martyr, a standard formulation used by armed groups in the region.
Coastal Road Shut Down as Fighting Intensifies
The clashes forced the closure of the coastal road near the Zawiya oil refinery, one of Libya's most important petroleum facilities. Local witnesses confirmed the road was shut down from the refinery side as militias exchanged heavy gunfire, with the sound of weapons echoing across the city's western neighborhoods.
The Zawiya refinery, which supplies much of western Libya with fuel, has been a flashpoint in previous rounds of fighting. Its proximity to ongoing combat operations raises concerns about potential disruptions to fuel supplies across Tripoli and the surrounding regions.
Who Are the Al-Far Forces?
Mohammed Bahrun, widely known as "Al-Far" (Arabic for "The Mouse"), serves as deputy head of the Security Threats Countermeasure Apparatus, a state-aligned security body. Despite his official position, Bahrun commands an armed faction that operates with significant autonomy in the Zawiya area — a pattern common among Libyan security officials who blend institutional roles with militia command structures.
Al-Far's forces have been involved in a series of clashes with rival armed groups in recent months. Last month, another Al-Far member, Mohammed Al-Zwik, was killed in a drive-by shooting at the Sabriya traffic light in Zawiya, an attack that went unanswered but highlighted the group's vulnerability in contested territory.
Zawiya's Descending Security Spiral
The current wave of violence in Zawiya is part of a broader security breakdown that began intensifying in May 2026, when clashes near the refinery left approximately 10 people dead and 20 others wounded, according to local medical sources. In early July, four young men were killed inside their vehicle, sparking widespread public outrage and protests demanding the expulsion of armed groups from the city.
Demonstrators took to the streets over the weekend, with videos circulating online showing crowds chanting against militia rule and calling on the Government of National Unity to intervene. However, state security forces have been largely absent from the streets of Zawiya, leaving residents exposed to the crossfire of competing factions.
Civilian Toll and Mounting Anger
Local activists report a growing sense of abandonment among Zawiya's civilian population. The city, home to roughly 200,000 people and a vital economic hub due to its refinery and port, has seen its streets become battlegrounds for turf wars between groups that blend criminal enterprise with political patronage.
The repeated failure of the central government in Tripoli to extend its authority over Zawiya has fueled public frustration. Many residents now view the armed groups — whether nominally state-aligned or openly militia — as indistinguishable in their impact on daily life.
Outlook: More Violence Ahead
Analysts warn that without a sustained political and security intervention, Zawiya's cycle of violence is likely to continue. The city's strategic value — sitting astride the coastal highway, hosting a major refinery, and serving as a smuggling hub — makes it a prize too valuable for armed factions to abandon voluntarily.
The mourning statement from Al-Far forces suggests the group is preparing for continued confrontation rather than de-escalation. "We will not forget our martyrs, and their blood will not be in vain," the statement reportedly read, signaling further retaliation is likely.
Libya's internationally recognized government has yet to issue an official response to the latest escalation, leaving Zawiya's residents to brace for more violence in the days ahead.
— Libya Press / Security Desk
