Ahmad 
The Libyan capital Tripoli witnessed violent armed clashes on Thursday night, as tensions escalated between rival armed groups in the city.
Neighborhoods in the city center were subjected to sudden clashes that lasted for about an hour, without specifying the causes and whether they resulted in casualties.
According to eyewitnesses, clashes broke out between the forces of the so-called “Judicial Police” and members of the Stabilization Support Authority, in which they exchanged fire, especially using heavy weapons, in the central area of the capital, which was crowded with residents celebrating Eid al-Fitr.
The clashes have caused panic among residents, especially families forced to flee their homes and seek safety.
According to local media reports, the clashes came after a member of the State Security Agency was arrested at a judicial police checkpoint, who in turn arrested members of the Deterrence Force, and explosions were heard across Tripoli followed by heavy machine gun gunfire.
The violent clashes in Tripoli reflect the chaos and tension prevailing in western Libya, where the region is witnessing ongoing conflicts between armed factions and multiple international interventions.
External interference in the Libyan conflict has increased, with Turkey, the United States, and others playing a prominent role in increasing the chaos by supporting some armed factions and providing military and logistical support, which has increased local tensions.
U.S. Embassy in Libya calls for unified security efforts in Libya