Mix of militias holds sway in Libya’s Misrata
Locals frustrated as armed groups reporting to rival administrations continue to be in charge of security checkpoints.
Security across Libya is provided by a complex mix of rival militias, alongside security forces reporting either to the administration in Tripoli or the rival one in Tobruk.
In Misrata, different checkpoints are manned by different groups.
Locals are getting increasingly frustrated, not knowing who is in charge. But the security forces say this is in place for their defence.
“The threats we face are from ISIL who want to carry out attacks on us,” Mohammed Abu Dabouz, a soldier at this checkpoint, told Al Jazeera.
“ISIL have organised their own patrols not far from here so we’ve organised our own defences to stop them from coming here.”
Residents hope for a secure and stronger state but the security situation mirrors the political one in Libya.
Al Jazeera’s Imran Khan, reporting from Misrata, said a lot of people there and in Libya were very frustrated by such checkpoints.
“They want them replaced by ordinary police officers and they hope that day will come soon,” he said.
