Maghreb Edition

Libya: Officers killed in navy school fire near TripoliF

Posted On 20 January 2021

Number of times this article was read : 548

A fire at a Libyan naval academy near the capital Tripoli killed two senior officers and a civilian, the health ministry said Wednesday, without identifying the root cause of the blaze. Health ministry spokesman Amine al-Hachemi said on Twitter that “the blaze at the Naval Academy in Sayyad, west of Tripoli,” killed General Ahmad Ayoub and General Salem Abu Salah, both commanders at the facility.

The fire broke out late Tuesday night and also killed “one civilian and hurt five others, all of them residents of a camp for the displaced located within the academy grounds”, Hachemi added. Local media said the fire broke out in a warehouse for clothes and blankets before spreading to a munitions depot, causing an explosion. The UN-recognised Government of National Accord issued a statement announcing unspecified measures in response to the incident. Neither Hachemi nor the GNA statement identified the initial cause of the blaze.

AFP

Subscribe to Urgent Notifications and Newsletter

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Morocco Becomes Africa’s Top-Ranked Industrial Economy✓

Morocco has become Africa’s leading industrial economy, followed by South Africa and Egypt. The African Development Bank (AfDB) ranked Tunisia fourth, reinforcing North Africa’s position as one of the continent’s principal industrial regions. The AfDB’s 2025 Africa Industrialization Index placed Morocco ahead of South Africa as Africa’s highest-ranked industrial economy.

Algerian Gas Exports to Europe Rise for Fourth Consecutive Month✓

Algeria continued to expand natural gas exports to Europe during the first four months of 2026, benefiting from steady pipeline deliveries to key markets including Spain and Italy. While Europe’s gas market continues shifting toward LNG imports, Algeria has maintained its position as one of the continent’s leading pipeline suppliers through a combination of established infrastructure, long-term contracts, and growing LNG activity.

Tunisian Army Denies Rumors of a Power Grab✓

Tunisia’s military has publicly reaffirmed its neutrality amid growing political tensions and speculation about its role in the country’s future. The rare statement from the Ministry of Defense comes as Tunisia faces mounting economic, political, and institutional pressures, raising questions about the military’s relationship with President Kais Saied and its role in preserving state stability.

Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.