Other Jihadi Actors

Our archive of political and security incidents relating to Jihadi actors in Libya such as Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

24 April – 1 May: GNA suspends Abedi extradition while LNA claims it is fighting al-Qaeda in Tripoli

On 26 April, Government of National Accord (GNA) Minister of Interior, Fathi Bashaagha, in an interview with the BBC, said that plans to extradite British national Hashem Abedi to the UK had been delayed due to the fighting in Tripoli. Hashem is the brother of Salman Abedi, who blew himself up at a concert in Manchester in May 2017, killing 22 people. The UK wants to extradite its citizen on charges of murder, attempted murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion.

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27 June – 3 July: Haftar declares Derna ‘liberated’

On 28 June, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar announced the ‘liberation’ of the city of Derna. Earlier that day the LNA had stated that they had complete control of the city and that Brigadier General Salem al-Rifadi was appointed the head of the Joint Security Operations Room for the city.

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30 May – 5 June: LNA claim to have control of 75 percent of Derna

On 5 June, the Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesperson Ahmed al-Mismari announced that LNA forces had taken control of 75 percent of Derna from the DPF. The day before In a video announcement to the LNA and civilians in Derna, Haftar highlighted to his troops the importance of protecting prisoners of war and warned of the dangers to civilians of Derna in aiding and abetting ‘terrorists”.

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18 Apr – 24 Apr: LNA CSO motorcade attacked by alleged “terrorist sleeper cells”

On 18 April, a motorcade with Libyan National Army (LNA) Military Governor and LNA chief of Staff Abdulrazzaq al-Nadhouri was attacked by alleged “terrorist sleeper cells” using a VBIED as it moved through Sidi Khalifa, north of Benghazi. On 22 April, the Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council (DMSC), which is currently in the control of the city of Derna, released a conciliatory statement calling for an end to the conflict between itself and the LNA.

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11 Apr – 17 Apr: LNA arrest Ansar al-Sharia figure while issuing “final readiness” orders for an impending assault on Derna

On 12 April, Libyan National Army (LNA) forces arrested an Ansar al-Sharia (AS) figure from Sirte named Salem Abdul Qaway al-Gaddafi while hiding in the Jufra area. On 14 April, the LNA Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Abdurrazaq al-Nadhouri, issued “final readiness” orders to LNA troops station near Derna heralding an impending assault on the city controlled by the Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council.

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4 Apr – 10 Apr: UK “likely” to have communicated with LIFG in 2011 while DMSC undertake surprise attack on LNA

On 3 April, the UK government stated that it was “likely” that it had been in communication with the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) and the 17 February Martys Brigade during the war in Libya in 2011. On 5 April, the Derna Mujahedeen Shura Council (DMSC) claimed to have undertaken a surprise attack on Libyan National Army (LNA) forces in southern Derna, allegedly killing two LNA fighters.

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21 – 27 Mar: LNA acts to disperse or disband Salafist militia units in eastern Libya

On 24 March, the LNA aligned Salafist ‘Arrest and Investigation Units’ of Benghazi and Ajdabiya were disbanded with their respective members re-integrated into the Internal Security Organisations in their respective cities. On 23 March, the Tarik Ben Zeyad brigade, who are one of the two most powerful Salafist brigades aligned to the LNA, deployed to southern Libya.

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28 Feb – 6 Mar: Four injured by artillery shelling in Derna

On 4 March, four people were allegedly injured by artillery shelling from the LNA 321 artillery battalion on al-Zintan neighbourhood near the western entrance of Derna. The following day the UN Secretary-General envoy, Ghassan Salame held a meeting in Tripoli with a delegation from Derna to discuss the evolving humanitarian situation in the city.

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31 Jan – 6 Feb: LNA prepares for offensive against DMSC in Derna and asks citizens to move away from possible targets

Last week, the LNA deployed forces from Benghazi and nearby towns to take up positions around Derna and prepare an offensive against the Derna Mujahadeen Shura Council, which controls the city. The LNA’s Omar al-Mukhtar Operation Room Commander asked all citizens to move away from possible targets, indicating that shelling and/or airstrikes may be used.

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IED attack on the Zagout-Sidra oil pipeline

On 26 December, unknown attackers caused an explosion on the Zagout-Sidra oil pipeline. The explosion occurred on the pipeline 256km south east of Sidra and 25km north of Marada. The attackers are reported to have arrived at the site in two cars and planted explosives on the pipeline. Muftah Magariaf, the head of the Libyan […]

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13-19 Dec: DMSC Clashes With LNA

The Derna Mujahadeen Shura Council (DMSC), the jihadi organization that controls the besieged city of Derna, stepped up its anti-ISIS operations throughout last week, arresting former ISIS members who had previously been detained or absorbed by the DMSC, and clashing with others. On 17 December, fighting between the Libyan National Army (LNA) and DMSC fighters east of Derna is reported to have left one LNA fighter dead and another wounded in the Kassarat area.

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15-21 Nov: LNA Launch Airstrikes On Derna While Egypt Says Attackers in Wahat were Trained in Derna

On 18 November, the LNA conducted two airstrikes against DMSC targets in al-Dahra al-Hamar area, south of Derna. On 16 November, the Egyptian Ministry of Interior said that the perpetrators of an attack against Egyptian police forces in the Wahat area in Egypt on 20 October ,were trained in Derna. On 14 November, the Misrata local attorney released a number of high profile fighters with suspected links to extremist groups, on the grounds of illegal arrest procedures.

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1 – 7 Nov: Clashes re-erupt in Benghazi

On 5 November, the GNA- appointed Deputy Minister for Interior in Benghazi, Faraj Gaem, survived an IED assassination attempt on his motorcade and intense clashes broke out in Benghazi between the LNA and ‘remnants’ of the BRSC. In Tripoli, Rada raided a comic con event and Igtet called for the JCP to disband.

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24-31 October: Mass grave with 36 handcuffed bodies discovered near Benghazi

On 26 October, 36 handcuffed bodies were discovered in mass grave 50km south west of Benghazi. They seem to have been executed in the style attributed to LNA field commander Mahmoud al-Werfalli. On 26 October, Misratan security detained three alleged jihadists in Souq al-Khamis, east of Khoms. Clashes were reported in Zliten between forces said to be from Misrata and local Islamist fighters.

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11-17 October: Misratan security forces arrest two senior BDB leaders on links to terrorist groups

In the wake of the ISIS attack in Mirata earlier this month, on 11 October, clashes broke out between hard-line fighters affiliated with Islamist factions and Misratan security forces, during a security operation in al-Sakt area south of Misrata city. Thirteen people were arrested, including two senior leaders of the BDD. In Washington D.C., Ahmed Abu Khattala is currently on trial for his alleged involvement in the September 2012 attack on the US Special Mission in Benghazi that killed 4 Americans.

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4-10 October: Eastern Committee for Issuing Fatwas called for Jihad in Sabratha

The Supreme Committee for Issuing Fatwas (Al-Lajna al-‘Ulya li-l-Ifta’), which is based in the eastern city Al-Bayda and is associated with Khalifa Haftar, has called for Jihad in Sabratha against “Kharijites,” a term used by Dignity Operation members to label their opponents. The announcement follows the Committee’s controversial Fatwa denouncing Ibadis earlier this summer. Following this announcement the eastern government, headed by Abdullah Al-Thanni, ordered mosques in the region to perform Qunut prayers to ask God to defeat the “Kharijites” in Sabratha.

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30 Aug- 5 Sept: Misrata Counter Terrorism Unit Arrests BDB Member

Misrata Counter Terrorism Unit arrested a senior member of the BDB, Ahmed Bakir, for alleged cooperation with ISIS and supplying foreign mercenaries to extremist groups. The CT unit also released a ‘confessions’ video of senior BRSC affiliate, Mohammed al-Khafifi, admitting membership in ISIS and claiming that his group had cooperated with the BDB in a number of suicide attacks

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August 22-29: Usama Jadhran Arrested in Misrata

On 27 August, Serraj met with Sudanese president Bashir and they agreed to cooperate on security issues with a particular emphasis on fighting terrorism and border security. Misratan security forces arrested Usama Jadhran in Misrata for his alleged membership of Ansar al-Sharia and connections with ISIS.

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15-22 August: MB party stands with the PC and LPA

The Justice and Construction party has turned on Tripoli’s Dar Al-Ifta head, Sheikh Sadek Ghariani after he pronounced that anyone who backed the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) was “non-believer”. The party declared that the sheikh’s denunciation of LPA supporters was “irresponsible” and that it would engender further bloodshed. The JC insists that the PC and the LPA were the only option for Libya.

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August 9-15: Misratan power brokers and senior BM figures travelled to Qatar

On 13 August, a delegation of Misratan power brokers and senior BM figures travelled to Qatar to meet with Qatari officials. Media reports say Qatar is prepared to support the BM’s military operations in addition to logistical support. The conflict between the LNA and DMSC deescalated slightly as the LNA eased the full siege it enacted on Derna two weeks ago, but new airstrikes on DMSC positions in the west of the city indicate a potential for re-escalation.

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1-8 August: Siege of Derna intensifies as Saiqa Special Forces join LNA Forces against DMSC

In late July after the DMSC downed an LNA jet over Derna and alleged killed and mutilated its pilot Adel Jehani, triggering a tightening of the LNA siege on the city. Local sources report that the LNA’s Saiqa Special Forces have reportedly moved to Derna to join the LNA in preparation for a major assault on the city in conjunction with an internal uprising, targeting key DMSC leaders and military targets.

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July 24-August 1st 2017: LNA and DMSC Clashes Escalate Aerial Assaults

On 26 July, Libyan National Army (LNA) Special Operations forces posted photos of a captured Ansar al-Sharia senior leader, Ibrahim Abu Nawwara. Conflict in Derna between the LNA and DMSC escalated last week following LNA airstrikes against the DMSC. On 29 July, the DMSC shot down an LNA MiG-23 fighter jet, and apprehended both the pilot and the co-pilot. The LNA announced a return to full fledged siege, and shut down all routes into Derna in reprisal. The latest escalation is reportedly the result of a tightening military and social noose around the DMSC.

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July 18-25: Al-Werfalli Stars in Most Recent LNA Prisoner of War Execution Video

On 23 July, a new video was released of notorious LNA senior commander Mahmoud al-Werfalli directing the execution of 18 prisoners of war believed to belong to ISIS. The video followed a UN request for the LNA to investigate the summary executions of prisoners and other human rights issues. GNA PM Fayez Serraj condemned the fatwa against Ibadi Muslims that was issued by the Awqaf and is supported by the Islamic affairs authority affiliated with the Beida-based interim government.

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HCF in Eastern Libya, Issued Contentious Takfiri Fatwa

On 5 July, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar declared that the LNA had fully liberated Benghazi from the coalition of jihadists including the Benghazi Revolutionary BRSC, Ansar al-Sharia and ISIS. On 9 July, the HCF which belongs to the HoR parallel government in eastern Libya, issued a takfiri fatwa declaring that followers of Ibadism are infidels.

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28 Jun – 4 Jul: 25 LNA fighters killed in Sabri

The remaining jihadists in Benghazi are now boxed into a 2 square kilometre area in Sabri, with a declaration of victory expected soon. However, more than 25 LNA fighters were killed during fighting in the last few days. In Tripoli, there are calls to establish a Tripoli Revolutionary Shura Council.

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June 21-27: BDB Dissolves, Muslim Brotherhood to Follow

The BDB announced it will dissolve itself and that some members will enlist in the formation of a legitimate Libyan army. The Libyan National Army (LNA) fully retook the Souq al-Hout area and the main central square in Benghazi. The Grand Mufti, calls for hard-liner Islamist factions and revolutionaries to reassemble and save a ‘dying’ revolution.

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14 – 20 June: LNA Make Advances in Souq al-Hout

 On 13 June, the LNA fully seized Benghazi’s iconic Tahrir Square and the courthouse that faces it, while on 16 June, LNA squads announced their full takeover of Misrata Street and the Wahda Bank main office. At least 6 LNA fighters were killed and more injured during the operations. Most BRSC social media outlets also acknowledged setbacks last week.

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