Hundreds Rally in Tunisia in Solidarity with Maghreb Convoy Besieged by Haftar Forces

Watan-Hundreds of Tunisians demonstrated on Avenue Habib Bourguiba in central Tunis to express their support for the Maghreb Resilience Convoy, at a time when its organizers report that it has come under attacks by Gen. Khalifa Haftar’s forces in eastern Libya.

During a solidarity vigil Saturday evening in front of the municipal theater, protesters chanted slogans urging authorities to open the route for the convoy, which has been stalled near Sirte after being prevented from advancing by Haftar-aligned forces.

Haftar Forces Encircle the Convoy

The convoy’s organizing committee condemned the severe beatings suffered by their spokesman, Wael Nouar, at the hands of militias believed loyal to Haftar, who controls eastern Libya.

According to the organizers, the convoy was forced to retreat 60 kilometers west toward Misrata, after what they described as the “systematic siege escalating to starvation” executed by Haftar’s eastern Libyan authorities. These forces allegedly not only blocked physical access to Sirte but cut off all communications, food, water, and medical supplies from reaching the convoy’s roughly 1,500 participants.

Security forces also prevented a solidarity convoy from Misrata from linking up, splitting the group into three segments: one at the original site, another 1.5 km away with no contact, and a third in a connective node 40 km away with telecommunications access. Some 50 people were reportedly barred from joining the convoy.

Arrests and Intimidation

Organizers reported that Haftar-aligned security forces detained four activists (two Algerians, one Tunisian, and one Libyan) under the pretext of “posting insulting videos about Benghazi authorities.” The detainees were denied legal representation and contact with families. In one case, an officer threatened a participant with a weapon for protesting—reflecting what was described as a campaign of arbitrary detention.

Political Reactions in Tunisia

Tunisian political figures view the convoy as a success, saying it refocused international public opinion on Gaza.

• Samir Ben Amar (Congress for the Republic Party) stated:“This is an admirable initiative… Even if it doesn’t break Gaza’s siege, it sends a powerful political message that Tunisian youth stand with Palestine.”

• Mohamed Ali El Ghol (Right Movement) praised the convoy for demonstrating the political maturity and Arab liberation consciousness among youth, calling it a significant national asset.

They emphasized Tunisia’s historic role as a founding advocate for Palestine—hosting Palestinians in the 1980s and supporting UN resolutions condemning Israeli aggression—as reflected again through this grassroots initiative.