International actors
Tracking developments of international actors in Libya’s security space including military activity, the presence of foreign operatives and diplomacy pertaining to Libya’s security.
AFRICOM’s premier special forces exercise to take place in Libya in 2026
On 14 October, Lieutenant General John Brennan, Deputy Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), announced that Sirte will be a key training location of exercise Flintlock 2026 which will take place next spring. Other key training locations of this exercise will be...
HRW calls for Italy-Libya migration MoU to be revoked
On 13 October, Human Rights Watch called for Italy to revoke the Italy-Libya Memorandum of Understanding on migration cooperation which will renew automatically for three years on 2 November 2025 if neither party revokes it or makes any revisions by that date. HRW...
Libyan Coast Guard reportedly opens fire on SAR vessel off Malta
On 12 October, the NGO Alarmphone said that it was in contact with people on a vessel in the Malta search and rescue (SAR) zone which said the Libyan Coast Guard had opened fire on them.
South African helicopters smuggled to Benghazi via Russian flights
On 12 October, South African media outlets reported that at least four Gazelle helicopters have been ‘quietly’ exported from Lanseria International Airport in South Africa to Benghazi via Russian IL-76 aircraft. Flight plans listed Amman in Jordan as their destination...
EU-Libya migration meetings scheduled in Warsaw and Brussels
On 11 October, international media outlets reported that a joint delegation of migration officials from Tripoli and Benghazi will be in Europe from October 14 to 16 for a series of technical meetings with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and the...
Sudanese watchdog ‘deeply concerned’ over targeting of Sudanese refugees in Libya
On 8 October, the Sudanese Observatory for Human Rights voiced deep concern over the growing hate speech, violence and arbitrary arrests targeting Sudanese refugees in Libya. The observatory said the situation in western Libya, particularly in Tripoli, Misrata,...
Russia accuses GNU of cooperation with Ukrainian militants across the Sahel
On 8 October, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a press conference that there is ‘growing evidence’ alleging security cooperation between Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) and Ukrainian militants, facilitated by British mediation....
Libyan flotilla crew released after detention by Israel
After the crew of Libya’s Omar al-Mukhtar vessel was seized by the Israeli forces when they intercepted a flotilla of vessels trying to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, there was widespread condemnation across the board from Libyan actors. As of 7 October, the...
Orlando discusses EU support to Libya with Libyan Coast Guard
On 7 October, EU Ambassador Nicola Orlando held an ‘in-depth exchange’ in Tripoli with Admiral Reda Issa, Commander of the Libyan Coast Guard. They reviewed the European Union’s support to Libya’s efforts to save lives at sea and combat human smuggling, as well as...