In Libya, after several days of protests in the city of Khoms, the Tripoli government denied having relinquished rights over a significant civilian port or permitting its use as a military base for Turkish forces. However, this statement failed to convince the protesters.
The denial was delivered by the spokesperson for the Abdel Hamid Dbeibah government, who visited the Khoms port, located about 120 kilometers east of Tripoli. Accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Libyan Navy, Noureddine el-Bouni, and the Director of Port and Maritime Transport Authorities, Mohamed el-Siwi, their words failed to sway the protesters—hundreds of residents and fishermen from Khoms—who have expressed their anger and bewilderment since August 13th.
Turkish Occupation
These protesters learned from Turkish press reports about the annexation of the neighboring fishing port, adjacent to the larger port housing a Turkish military base. On August 17, the protesters blocked the road leading to the port by setting tires on fire. They chanted slogans against the Dbeibah government and the “Turkish occupation.”
Khoms Port is one of the largest in the country, employing hundreds of people. Certain traders situated at the port were denied access, while fishermen were ordered to vacate the premises. A development project is slated for this port, as confirmed by the Minister of Transport, who acknowledged, “We won’t remove the fishermen until we find them a new location.”
Three Slightly Injured
On Friday, August 18th, the government spokesperson warned the demonstrators, stating, “Any disruption to the public interest will subject its perpetrators to legal consequences.” The previous day, special forces had opened fire on the demonstrators. According to our sources, three people sustained minor injuries, and several arrests were made. An armed group calling themselves “the young resistors of Khoms” declared their intent to “defend the port and expel the Turks from the city.”