Recent armed clashes in the Libyan capital have led to widespread casualties and significant damage to public and private property. In one of the most alarming developments, a mass prison break occurred at Al-Jdeida Prison in Tripoli, where hundreds of inmates, including high-profile terrorists and ISIS members, managed to escape following a wave of panic caused by heavy fighting outside the facility.
According to Libya’s Judicial Police Authority, the violent confrontations in front of and around the prison created a state of fear and confusion, prompting a large number of prisoners—many serving long sentences for serious crimes—to flee. The authority confirmed that the prison held a large number of high-risk inmates and warned that the situation could have “dire and disastrous” consequences for the security of Tripoli and the country at large if the violence continues.
Security Breach Enables Escape of Dangerous Inmates
A video widely circulated on social media allegedly shows the moment of the escape, with scores of inmates rushing out of the prison. The incident has sparked intense reactions and debates online. Commentators expressed fears that the escaped prisoners might be armed and used to escalate further chaos, with some suggesting they are being manipulated by foreign-backed militias operating under the guise of national unity.
A user named Mohammed Amin posted: “They’re arming these fugitives to create more chaos. The militias in Libya are not random; they’re highly organized and follow external orders.” Another user wrote: “This isn’t just an escape—it could be strategic recruitment. Watch the borders closely.”
Questions also arose about the prison’s integrity. “How did they manage to escape? Were the doors made of paper? Do they just swing open at the sound of gunfire?” wondered one user. Meanwhile, a concerned citizen named Nasreen pleaded: “Stop the gunfire—innocent lives are at risk. Libya doesn’t need more clashes; it needs reason and unity.”
Escape of ISIS Commander from High-Security Wing
According to Libyan media reports, among the fugitives was the most dangerous inmate in western Libya—Hashim Abu Sidra, also known by the alias Abu Khubayb—the former ISIS emir in Tripoli. He was being held alongside 26 other members of the terrorist organization. In total, Al-Jdeida Prison was believed to house more than 3,200 extremists from groups like Al-Qaeda and the Shura Councils of Derna and Benghazi.
The Special Deterrence Force, a counterterrorism unit under Libya’s Ministry of Interior, had previously captured Abu Sidra in a precise operation as he attempted to travel from the southern region to the capital. He had been wanted for years for his involvement in terrorist activities and crimes against state security. Authorities confirmed he had played a pivotal role in facilitating the entry and entrenchment of foreign fighters in Libya.
Key Figure in 2015 Coptic Massacre in Sirte
Before rising to leadership within ISIS in Libya, Abu Sidra served as “Emir of Immigration and Borders,” and is regarded as the main orchestrator behind the 2015 massacre of Egyptian Copts in Sirte. He reportedly handled logistics, including transport and burial sites, and was known for his operational skills, especially in desert regions. His responsibilities included structuring terrorist cells and coordinating the movement of militants across Libya.
While ISIS presence in Libya had diminished in recent years—largely due to the killing or imprisonment of its top leaders—the group still maintains scattered sleeper cells, particularly in remote desert and mountain areas. Analysts now warn that the current volatile climate could provide a fresh opportunity for these groups to regroup.
Rising Fears of Terrorist Resurgence
Experts caution that southern Libya, with its vast oil and gas reserves and porous borders with several war-torn African countries, remains a magnet for terrorist organizations. The escape of Abu Sidra could reignite efforts by jihadist groups to retaliate and reorganize.
Military analyst and former advisor to the Libyan army commander, Adel Abdel Kafi, emphasized the significance of Abu Sidra’s role. He described him as a key trainer of “lone wolf” operatives capable of executing high-profile attacks and said he was instrumental in organizing cross-border movements of militants.
“ISIS follows a strategy of disappearing when security is tight and reemerging during periods of instability,” Abdel Kafi explained. “Its members often blend into local communities as civilians, only to reappear when law enforcement weakens.”
He warned that ISIS functions as a covert agenda designed to exploit countries experiencing armed conflict, internal divisions, and the proliferation of weapons—all of which describe Libya’s current state.
Call for Unity Amid Escalating Chaos
As security forces scramble to recapture the escapees, voices from civil society are urging restraint and peace. One woman wrote online: “Calm the gunfire—innocent people are dying. Libya doesn’t need more violence. It needs the wisdom of unity.”
The escape has highlighted the broader fragility of Libya’s security environment, where heavily armed militias, political rivalries, and extremist threats continue to pose grave challenges. The incident underscores the urgency for a unified national effort to restore order, ensure justice, and prevent terrorist groups from reclaiming lost ground.
