International actors

A recent article by the Washington Post said that the Pentagon had presented the White House with the most detailed set of military options yet for attacking the growing ISIS threat in Libya. The plans are said to include a range of potential airstrikes against training camps, command centres, munitions depots and other militant targets. […]

As the political process for Libya mediated by the UN begins to flounder, signals are emerging that the international community is more seriously considering the ‘military option’. International media reports have begun to reveal the different roles played by western countries such as France, the US and the UK in supporting various power brokers in […]

Despite the inconsistency of the Western community’s position vis-à-vis ISIS in Libya, as well as the faltering Libyan political process, an international bombing campaign of ISIS forces in the country seems a very probable prospect in the near future…Although US Secretary of State John Kerry, downplayed the US role or the intentions of President Barack Obama to intervene militarily in Libya, the chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee said that Obama is “on the verge of taking action” against ISIS in Libya.

Days before the Italian president’s visit to the White House on 9 February, US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter reportedly told media that the Italians have indicated that they want the lead in Libya, an impulse the US is willing to support. … Meanwhile Russian media is reporting that Russian Ambassador to Libya Ivan Moltokov has unveiled his country’s intention to fight terrorism, also saying that Russia has approached the UN Security Council with a request to lift arms sanctions against Libya to enable its fight against ISIS.

International media widely speculated last week about the potential for Western intervention against ISIS in Libya, fuelling controversy and tension inside the country, and even provoking citizens to begin stockpiling essential goods in Benghazi and other areas in Eastern Libya. The value of the Libyan Dinar (LYD) also plummeted, reaching a record low on the […]

The international community continues to push ahead with plans to intervene decisively in Libya, including statements to that effect by the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff last week. Despite the obvious urgency for such international assistance to counter ISIS in Libya, the political disconnect between the UN and international missions with the […]

News reports confirmed that unidentified airstrikes targeted the port and other locations inside Sirte on 14 Janaury. It is highly likely that these strikes are conducted by international forces (France, US) but local reports (and ISIS) suggested that Libyan aircraft from Misrata were responsible. Germany’s defense minister says she does not rule out dispatching military […]

A high-level meeting was held on 12 January, which included the  Italian PM, defense, Intelligence and security ministers, including Italian special forces where Libya was the key agenda item. The meeting may be related to the flash incident in Mellitah complex on 12 January, where gunfire at the complex entrance forced a quick evacuation of […]

Although ISIS do not control any oil ports yet, new reports suggest that British SAS Special Forces could be preparing to lead an international team to take back control of any oil fields which would fall under ISIS control. At present this seems infeasible, as the international community first needs the Government of National Accord […]