Libyan Coast Guard Commander Abd al-Rahman Milad Assassinated

Abdel-Rahman Milad, a notorious human trafficker and head of the Libyan Coast Guard, was assassinated in Tripoli over the weekend. Known as 'Al-Bidja', Milad was shot while driving near the Janzour Naval Academy, with reports indicating his vehicle was ambushed by armed assailants. Despite being sanctioned by the UN for his involvement in human trafficking and violence against migrants, he was previously promoted within the coast guard after an arrest in 2020. His death raises questions about the ongoing turmoil in Libya, where rival administrations compete for power amidst a backdrop of chaos since the 2011 uprising. Local officials and the Prime Minister have called for an urgent investigation into the murder, which has sparked tension in the region. Milad's actions have long drawn criticism from human rights groups, who allege complicity in the abuse of migrants in Libya.