Libya Mass Prison Escape Amid Fighting in Zawiya and Surman

Libyan authorities reported a mass escape from the Sorman prison near Tripoli as intense clashes erupted between rival armed militias in the coastal cities of Zawiya and Surman. The Judicial Police Authority did not disclose how many inmates fled or their identities, but pledged to identify them and pursue legal action. Video footage showed heavy gunfire, artillery fire and clouds of black smoke, while the mayor of Surman said the city suffered serious damage. A neutral force eventually entered Surman to restore order.

The fighting involved the First Support Division of Zawiya and the 103rd Battalion, both recognized as paramilitary forces aligned with the Tripoli‑based Government of National Unity. The clashes are part of Libya’s broader civil conflict that has persisted since 2011, with rival governments and militias vying for control of oil facilities such as the Zawiya refinery. The incident underscores the ongoing instability and security challenges facing the country.