On 18 September, a crowd gathered in front of al-Sahaba Mosque in Derna to express their anger against the authorities who let the disaster happen...
Derna protesters call for accountability over flooding disaster
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Libyan actors
Our archive of incidents relating to Libyan actors in Libya’s security space, including armed group activity, state security operations and political developments.
Two workers killed in explosion on coastal network gas line
On 15 September, an explosion occurred on the coastal network gas line at the Aziziyya site. The following day, the Government of National Unity...
Western Libyan armed groups join rescue efforts in the east
There have been some significant signs of divisions being overcome as a result of the flooding tragedy in Derna. The arrival of the Tripoli-based...
Libyan authorities scramble to provide assistance after flooding disaster
On 11 September, as storm Daniel's death toll began to mount, both the Government of National Stability (GNS) and the Government of National Unity...
LNA continues to crack down on Greens in Sirte and Sebha
On 6 September, the Libyan National Army (LNA) deployed additional troops (about 120 men) to Sirte, probably from the 20/20 Brigade of the Tariq Bin...
Tripoli has reached a ‘very good level of security’, say Trabelsi and al-Sour
On 5 September, Government of National Unity (GNU) Minister of Interior Emad Trabelsi and Attorney General Sadiq al-Sour gave a joint press...
LNA continues operation in southern border area
On 3 September, the spokesman of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Ahmed al-Mismari, stated that the operation on the southern border is conducted by...
Haftar condemned over practices against Sirte’s Qadhadhfa tribe
On 3 September, the Social Council of the Qadhadhfa tribe condemned Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar's practices against the...
LNA cracks down on Greens in Sirte around 1 September celebrations
In the run up and aftermath of the 1 September - the anniversary of Muammar al-Qadhafi’s coup, celebrated by supporters of the Qadhafi regime (also...
Protests erupt across Libya over FM Mangoush’s meeting with Israeli FM
On the evening of 27 August, there were angry street protests in Tripoli and elsewhere in western Libya following Government of National Unity (GNU)...
LNA launches campaign against FACT targets in southern Libya following Chadian airstrikes
On 22 August, Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari confirmed Chadian airstrikes on the Front pour l’Alternance et la Concorde au...
Tensions remain high as Rada and the 444 Brigade withdraw from frontlines
On 18 August, Rada and the 444 Brigade withdrew most of their fighters from the front lines during the day. The withdrawal was supervised by the...
Violent protests erupt at Khoms port despite GNU denying reports of Turkish naval base lease
On 15 August, media outlets and social media posts reported that Turkey had leased the port of Khoms for 99 years and that the Turkish Armed Forces...
Tripoli clashes subside following release of 444 Brigade commander
After the abduction of the 444 Brigade commander Mahmoud Hamza by Aburraouf Kara’s Rada Force on 14 August, fighting continued between those...
Clashes erupt in Tripoli after Rada seizes head of 444 Brigade
On 14 August, Mahmoud Hamza, the commander of the 444 Brigade, was arrested by the Special Deterrence Force (Rada) at Mitiga Airport while he was on...
GNMTC employees suspend operations after CEO kidnapping in Tripoli
On 13 August, the General National Maritime Transport Company (GNMTC) issued a statement denouncing the kidnapping of its CEO Khaled al-Tawati by...
LNA deploys additional troops on borders with Niger
The Libyan National Army (LNA) has reportedly deployed additional troops to reinforce the 634th Infantry Battalion, reinforced its presence at the...
Attorney General dismantles Misrata drug gang
On 3 August, seventeen people including several Misrata Sea Port employees, were arrested on drug trafficking charges on orders from the Attorney...
Several hundred migrants freed in Tobruk security raids
On 2 August, Libyan National Army (LNA) security forces managed to free some 385 Pakistani migrants in the Lakhwer area, 8 kilometres southeast of...
Libyan Border Guard ‘massively increase’ anti-smuggling efforts on Tunisian border
On 31 July, Ali Wali, spokesman for the 19th Brigade of the Libyan Border Guard, said that efforts to prevent smuggling and ensure full control of...
Juwaili forces reopen Aziziyya roads following de-escalation talks amid unrest in region
Late on 29 July, forces affiliated with Zintani commander Osama Juwaili set up earth berms and closed roads in the al-Aziziyya area around 40km...
Arrests in Zawiyya as protesters demand removal of Dabaiba and Bathily
On 27 July, protests against Government of National Unity (GNU) Prime Minister Abdul Hameed Dabaiba were held in Zawiyya. They were largely peaceful...
Italian fishing boat shot at by the Libyan Coast Guard
On the morning of 18 July, the Italian fishing boat ‘Orizzonte’ was machine-gunned about 94 nm north of Misrata (i.e. outside Libyan territorial...
5+5 JMC meeting in Paris ends without tangible results
On 17 and 18 July, France hosted talks between the Government of National Unity (GNU) Chief of Staff Muhammed al-Haddad, and the Libyan National...
444 Brigade clashes with LNA forces near Wadi al-Shatti in southern Libya
On 16 July, a brief but very fierce firefight took place between a 444 Brigade patrol and forces of the Libyan National Army's (LNA) 177th Battalion...
Protesters end oil shutdown following Boumtari’s release
On the evening of 15 July, following the release of former Finance Minister Faraj Boumtari in Tripoli, protestors at al-Feel and Sharara ended their...
Al-Bayda court sentences 37 people to prison for human trafficking
On 14 July, Al Bayda Appeals Court sentenced 37 people to prison on charges of human trafficking after being convicted of causing the death of 11...
Haftar appoints his son Khaled as Chief of Staff of LNA’s ‘Security Units’
On 11 July, it was announced that Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar has decided to establish a ‘Chief of Staff of the Security...
ISA detain Boumtari at Mitiga Airport and ban HSC members from travel
On 11 July, the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) Internal Security Agency (ISA) detained former Finance Minister and candidate to be the Central...
Tripoli court jails three people for human trafficking in Libya’s first ruling of its kind
On 7 July, the office of the Attorney General announced that the Criminal Court of Tripoli has sentenced three people to harsh prison terms on...
Dabaiba forms new operations room as he shifts to ‘law and order’ focus in western coastal region
On 5 July, Dabaiba ordered the formation of a Coast Road Operations Room under Western Coast Military District Commander Salaheddin al-Namroush....
Prominent Zawiyya militia leaders arrested in Ras Ajdir
On 4 July, an armed group leader from Zawiyya, Abdurraouf al-Kabu (aka al-Zaza), was arrested in Ras Ajdir, after returning from Tunisia, based on a...
Libyan security forces detain over 200 migrants in Tubruq raid
On 2 July, Libyan security forces reportedly detained over 200 Egyptian and Pakistani migrants who were set to sail to Italy from Tubruq. Following...
20 migrants rescued to Lampedusa as security forces crackdown on smugglers in Sabratha
On 30 June, Mediterranean rescue organisation Alarm Phone said it was alerted by nearly 20 people in distress, trying to escape from Sabratha on a...
Misrata security delegation visits commander of Wershefana-based battalion
On 27 June, a delegation of security and military leaders from Misrata, led by the Mayor Mahmoud alSoqtari, visited Muammar al-Dawi, the commander...
GNU bans foreign security firms from operating in western Libya
On 27 June, French website Africa Intelligence reported that Libya’s Public Facility and Establishment Security Authority (FSA) had decided to allow...
5+5 and UNSMIL discuss ceasefire monitoring mechanism
On 17 June, the 5+5 Joint Military Committee (JMC) and the ceasefire monitoring team of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL)...
Mishri discusses electoral laws with security leaders
The High State Council (HSC) and its head Khalid al-Mishri have engaged with a range of stakeholders this week on the 6+6 process and the electoral...
GNS MoI continues anti-trafficking campaign in Tubruq despite ending nighttime curfew
On 8 June, Government of National Stability (GNS) Ministry of Interior Undersecretary Faraj Qaim stated that in the course of the security forces'...
Dabaiba creates new militia structure under his direct control as PC and others push back
On 6 June, Government of National Unity (GNU) Prime Minister Abdul Hameed Dabaiba ordered by decree the establishment of a new militia force called...
Zawiyya fuel depots targeted by drone strikes
During the last week, the Government of National Unity's (GNU) drone strikes in the greater Zawiyya area and in Zuwara continued, albeit on a much...
Attorney General establishes new security force in Zawiyya
On 5 June, Attorney General Sadiq al-Sour, together with Libyan Army Western Coast Military District Commander Salaheddin al-Namroush, decided to...
Tobruk imposes curfew to fight criminal groups ‘more efficiently’
On June 3, the Tobruk Security Directorate, on behalf of GNS Ministry of Interior Undersecretary Faraj Aqim, imposed an overnight curfew stating...
Grand Mufti and Zawiyya Youth Movement support drone strikes on Zawiyya
On 1 June, the Grand Mufti Sadiq al-Ghariani called on Governmet of National Unity (GNU) Prime Minister Dabaiba to intensify airstrikes on Zawiyya....
High-level security meeting discusses situation in Zawiyya as GNU continues drone strikes
On 30 May, Presidential Council (PC) Head Muhammad al-Menfi, PC Deputy President Abdullah al-Lafi, Government of National Unity (GNU) Prime Minister...
LNA deploys troops in Umm Sa’ad, raids hideouts
On 30 May, violent rioting broke out in Umm Sa'ad on the Egyptian border after Libyan Border Guards fired at a suspected smuggling vehicle, killing...
Clashes erupt between Rada and 444 Brigade in Tripoli
On 28 May, fighting took place at several locations in Tripoli between the Special Deterrence Force (Rada) Rada and the 444 Brigade, including the...
GNU praises ‘precision strikes’ on criminal targets in Zawiyya amid condemnation
On 25 May, the Government of National Unity (GNU) Ministry of Defence (MoD) claimed responsibility for several drone strikes which took place...
Tensions in Zawiyya continue as another ultimatum issued to the GNU
On 22 May, protesters in Zawiyya gave the Government of National Unity (GNU) and the Presidential Council (PC) a 24-hour ultimatum to improve the...
Menfi and Haddad discuss border security
On 21 May, the head of the Presidential Council (PC) Muhammad al-Menfi met with GNU Chief of Staff Muhammad al-Haddad to discuss security issues,...
Trabelsi and Darsi discuss security coordination in eastern region
On 21 May, GNU Interior Minister Emad al-Trabelsi met with eastern security chief Ayman al-Darsi and other security figures to discuss coordination...
ISA ‘abducts’ rights activist over criticism, says local watchdog
On 12 May, Libya Crimes Watch (LCW) said Libya’s Internal Security Agency (ISA) in Benghazi ‘abducted’ rights activist Khaled al-Marghani over his...
Demands in Zawiyya for Dabaiba and Menfi resignation over ‘flimsy’ promises
On 12 May, the ‘Movement for Correcting the Course of Great Zawiyya’ demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Abdul Hameed Dabaiba and...
Two killed, over a dozen wounded after clashes resume in Zawiyya
On 11 May, in the evening fierce fighting broke out again in Zawiyya in the Dhay al-Hilal area (southeast of the refinery) between the local branch...
Libyan naval heads meet in Benghazi to discuss unifying the navy
On 6 May, the Chief of Staff of the Libyan National Army's (LNA) Navy hosted the Chief of Staff of the Tripoli-based Navy at a meeting in Benghazi...
Kufra authorities deny involvement in Sudanese conflict
On 5 May, the Municipal Council and Emergency Room of Kufra condemned national and international media allegations that Kufra authorities and the...
Activists say six Libyans face death penalty over converting to Christianity
On 3 May, The Guardian newspaper reported that six Libyans were facing the death penalty for converting to Christianity and proselytising under laws...
Presidential Council hosts high-level security meeting on Zawiyya insecurity, orders ‘emergency plan’
On 2 May, the head of the Presidential Council Muhammed al-Menfi hosted a high-level meeting in Tripoli to discuss the security situation and...
DCIM warns against influx of Sudanese refugees into Libya
On 30 April, Libya’s Directorate for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM) warned against the influx of Sudanese refugees into Libya. The head of...
Rights commission calls for emergency plan for influx of Sudanese refugees
On 29 April, the National Commission for Human Rights in Libya (NCHRL) issued a statement calling for an integrated emergency plan to deal with the...
Protesters agree to form committee to resolve Zawiyya crisis following Haddad visit
On 28 April, the Government of National Unity's Chief of Staff Muhammed al-Haddad visited Zawiyya and met with protestors and civil society,...
Protests against armed groups and insecurity resume in Zawiyya amid uptick in anti-African rhetoric
Overnight on 26 April and throughout 27 April, tensions flared once more in Zawiyya triggered by the release of a video showing Zawiyyan armed...
At least four killed in Zawiyya clashes between Bahroun and SSA
On 23 April, clashes broke out in the eastern part of Zawiyya between the First Support (Esnad) Battalion – led by Muhammed Bahroun (also known as...
LNA denies sending support to Hemedti’s RSF in Khartoum
On 20 April, the spokesman for the General Command of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Ahmed al-Mismari, denied accusations that the LNA was...
NSC condemns Italian NGO project in Fezzan
On 20 April, Libya’s National Security Council (NSC) said that all foreign organisations operating in Libya must follow Libyan laws and complete the...
Haddad and Nadhouri meet in Benghazi as part of 5+5 JMC talks
On 13 April, Chief of Staff Muhammed Haddad met with his eastern counterpart, LNA Chief of Staff Abdurrazaq al-Nadhouri, in Benghazi as part of the...
ISA arrests, deports two American citizens over ‘Christian proselytising’
On 13 April, Libya’s Internal Security Agency (ISA) released videos of what it claimed were the confessions of two Americans, who were arrested in...
5+5 JMC and security actors meet in Benghazi
On 7 April, the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) held a meeting in Benghazi that brought together military and security leaders from the West,...
Zawiyya Security Directorate denies responsibility for worsening security situation amid clashes
On 2 April, the Zawiyya Security Directorate said that it is not responsible for the deterioration of the security situation in the city, saying...
Protesters condemn worsening insecurity in Zawiyya
On 31 March, there were protests in Zawiyya after Friday prayers by residents calling for an end to the state of lawlessness in the city and the...
5+5 JMC, Eastern and Western security actors meet in Tripoli to discuss securing elections
On 26 March, the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) organised a meeting in the Rixos Hotel in Tripoli between commanders of the military and...
Libyan coastguard opens fire at humanitarian vessel
On 25 March, the SOS Mediterranee group said that the Libyan coast guard had fired warning shots at its search and rescue vessel, the Ocean Viking,...
IAEA reports 2.5 tons of uranium are missing in Libya, LNA reports finding it near Chadian border
On 15 March, it was announced in multiple major Western newspapers and media outlets, including the BBC, The Telegraph, Guardian, Vox, and Reuters,...
Bathily hosts meeting with 5+5 JMC and commanders from both Libyan militaries
On 15 March, UN Special Envoy to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily hosted a meeting in Tunis bringing together the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) and...
Anti-Immigration Unit face off with GNU MoI
On 12 March, the Government of National Unity (GNU) Minister of Interior Emad Trabelsi announced the launch of a security plan to secure Libya’s...
Clashes break out in Tajoura
On 12 March, clashes broke out in Tajoura, in eastern Tripoli, between the al-Duraa militia (aka the Baqara Brigade named after its commander Bashir...
Fuel smuggling ship reportedly seized off the Abu Kamash coastal area
On 1 March, a security patrol reportedly seized a ship smuggling fuel off the Abu Kamash coastal area, west of Libya. The operation was the result...
LNA conducts security operations against corruption and criminal networks in the East
Over the last couple of weeks, the Libyan National Army (LNA) has conducted widespread security operations in Ben-ghazi and eastern Libya against...
National Reconciliation Coalition formed in Zawiyya
On 19 February, the National Reconciliation Coalition was formed in Zawiyya in the presence of Shaaban Hadiya (more commonly known as Abu Obeida...
Head of Qadhafi Director of External Security Agency released from prison
On 18 February, General Abdullah Mansour al-Suleimani, the former Director of Internal Security under Muammar Qadhafi, was released from prison....
Clashes in Tajoura, flights from Mitiga suspended
On 9 February, clashes broke out in Tajoura, east of Tripoli, between the al-Duraa militia (aka the Baqara Brigade named after its commander Bashir...
5+5 JMC meeting agrees on mechanism for withdrawal of mercenaries
On 7 and 8 February, the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) and liaison committees from Libya, Sudan and Niger held a two-day meeting in Cairo...
Reports of clashes in Zawiyya
On the evening of 5 February to the morning of 6 February, clashes broke out in Zawiyya between unidentified groups. At least two people were killed...
Dabaiba and Kabir meet armed groups in Zawiyya
On 1 February, the Government of National Unity (GNU) Prime Minister, Adul Hameed Dabaiba, and the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) Governor, Sadiq...
Ordeman meets with 55 Battalion Commander Muammar al-Dawi
On 27 January, photos circulated on social media of the Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy Libya, Leslie Ordeman, meeting with the Commander of the...
Tensions in Sirte as rumours circulate of Misratan armed groups mobilising
In the last few days, sources have claimed forces aligned to Mukhtar Al-Jahawi are making preparations to move towards Sirte, potentially to advance...
Clashes between Rada and 111 Brigade on Airport Road
On 18 January, clashes broke out on Airport Road, in the Qasr Bin Ghashir in southern Tripoli, between Rada (Special Deterrence Force) and the 111...
PC poised to declare a ‘state of emergency’
On 10 January, the Head of the Presidential Council (PC), Muhammed Menfi, met with the Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Khalifa Haftar,...
Interior Minister initiates security plan for Greater Tripoli
On 9 January, the Government of National Unity (GNU) Interior Minister, Emad Trabelsi, launched a plan to secure Greater Tripoli. During a ceremony...
‘Military force’ prevents municipal elections from being held in Zillah
On 7 January, the Central Committee for Municipal Council Elections (CCMCE) reported that an unnamed military force had prevented municipal...
Saleh and Mishri agree to move election framework forward in Cairo
On 5 January, the House of Representatives (HoR) Speaker Aqeela Saleh and High State Council (HSC) Head Khaled Mishri met in Cairo. They released a...
Clashes break out in Al-Ajilat
On 3 January, it was reported that clashes between the Balkour militia and al-Mashreqi militia broke out in the al-Matmar area of al-Ajilat....
Saif Qadhadi’s candidacy for the presidency confirmed by his lawyer
On 2 January reports circulated that Saif al-Islam Qadhadi’s lawyer, Khaled al-Zaidi, gave a legal briefing claiming that Saif would be able to run...
Haftar gives speech at Benghazi rally, announces ‘final opportunity’ to draw election roadmap
On 24 December, the Head of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Khalifa Haftar gave a speech at a rally in Benghazi where he declared ‘a final...
Pushback against Joint Force in Misrata
In recent weeks there have been signs of a pushback against the Joint Operations Force (JOF) in Misrata. On 20 December, the Mayor and local leaders...
73rd Infantry Brigade deployed in Murzuq
On 7 December, the Libyan National Army (LNA) announced that the 73rd Infantry Brigade was deployed in Murzuq. Munther al-Khartoush, the LNA...
Haftar gives speech in Ajdabiya confirming his candidacy in elections
On 4 December, preparations took place for the Commander of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa Haftar, to arrive the following day in Ajdabiya...
Clashes break out in Sabratha
On 3 December, clashes broke out in Sabratha (80km west of Tripoli) between members of an armed group led by Mohammed Bahroun (also known as...
Saleh and Mishri meet in Cairo to discuss elections and semi-sovereign positions
On 28 November, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aqeela Saleh, and the head of the High State Council (HSC), Khaled Mishri, met in...
Ghinaywa, Bahroun and Zubi reportedly meet Saddam Haftar in the UAE
On 27 November, sources reported that a meeting allegedly took place in Dubai between the son of Saddam Haftar, the Head of the Security Support...