ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq—The Iraqi Embassy in Libya on Monday night urged its nationals to stay indoors due to escalating violence in Tripoli.

Clashes erupted in Tripoli on Monday shortly after reports emerged that Abdulghani Kikli of the Support Force Apparatus (SSA), which is one of the most powerful armed groups in the North African capital city, was killed.

The SSA is a state-backed armed group and is linked to the Presidential Council, which rose to power in 2021 with the Government of National Unity (GNU) of Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.

"We have appealed to our citizens residing in the capital, Tripoli, to exercise extreme caution and remain at home,” Iraqi state media quoted Chargé d'Affaires of the Iraqi Embassy in Libya, Ahmed Al-Sahaf, as saying.

Sahaf added that they have designated a phone number to receive emergency calls from Iraqi nationals if they need help.

The toppling of Moammar Gaddafi in 2011 has left a myriad of issues in the country unresolved, including the emergence of multiple armed groups.

Libya has been ruled by rival governments in eastern and western Libya, each backed by different armed groups and foreign governments.

The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) said it was worried by “the unfolding security situation” in Tripoli in the “densely populated civilian areas."

“The Mission calls on all parties to immediately cease fighting and restore calm, and reminds all parties of their obligations to protect civilians at all times,” UNSMIL said, reiterating that attacks on civilians "may amount to war crimes.”